Chelsea face Manchester United on Monday night following two weeks off for both clubs in the Premier League's first ever winter break.
The Blues are six points ahead of United heading into the clash, while Sheffield United are just two points behind Lampard's team in fifth place, and Tottenham could trail them by just a point after their game against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Chelsea face United on Monday, before another clash at Stamford Bridge against Jose Mourinho's Spurs side the following Saturday.
Both Chelsea and United were hoping to come into the game with key men returning to availability, but Frank Lampard has already confirmed that he will be without at least two of his stars, with another facing a late assessment.
And United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that none of his players who were missing before the break have recovered in time to face Chelsea.
Paul Pogba had surgery on an ankle injury at the beginning of January and was always likely to miss out on the trip to Stamford Bridge, but the likes of Scott McTominay and Axel Tuanzebe had been hoping to be back in contention.
McTominay has been out of action since Boxing Day due to a knee ligament problem, while Tuanzebe has struggled with a muscle problem that has kept him out since before Christmas.
And Solskjaer confirmed in his pre-match press conference that none of the players would be back for the Stamford Bridge trip.
"I don't think we'll get anyone back for the Chelsea game ready," Solskjaer told reporters.
"Scotty, Axel, Tim [Fosu-Mensah] - they didn't join too much [during the winter break] so they are not ready to play that game.
"Paul is not ready of course.
"How do you go about without playing Marcus [Rashford], Paul, Scott - you deal with it.
"Players are gonna get a chance, had a great rest. It has been beneficial for absolutely everyone in the squad; individually, the team, but [also for] other teams and the league.
"The quality of football will improve. January and December was relentless for us. It's a good move by the authorities to give us that weekend.
"At Man United, you don't get two weeks without games when you've got everyone, so it is up to the boys to show the freshness that they have shown this week."
