MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 13:39:46| >> :120:9235:9235:
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Stoke logo
Premier League
Dec 22, 2014 at 8pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Terry (2'), Fabregas (78')

Preview: Stoke City vs. Chelsea

Sports Mole previews Chelsea's trip to the Britannia Stadium to play Stoke City.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes is optimistic that Bojan Krkic will be available for his side's match with Chelsea on Monday night.

The Spaniard suffered a hip injury against Crystal Palace last weekend, but after returning to training this week, the former Barcelona attacker should take his place in the starting lineup.

So far this season, Stoke have been inconsistent in the league, with wins against Manchester City and Arsenal being undone by losses to Leicester City and Burnley.

However, Hughes will be satisfied with the displays of the Potters, who defeated Chelsea in this fixture 13 months ago.

The league leaders could welcome back goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who has missed the last two games with a muscle injury.

Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic will return to the starting lineup, while Didier Drogba has shaken off an ankle knock to be included on the bench.

The Blues are currently three points clear at the top of the table but they will be joined on 39 points if Manchester City can beat Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime.

Stoke City:

Recent form: WLLLWD

Possible starting lineup: Begovic, Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters, Nzonzi, Cameron, Diouf, Bojan, Walters, Crouch

Chelsea:

Form in Premier League: WWDWLW
Form in all competitions: DWLWWW

Possible starting lineup: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa

Sports Mole says: 1-2


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Written by
Darren Plant
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3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


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