MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 16:25:06| >> :120:14511:14511:
[monks data]
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


ID:194596: cacheID:194596:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4384:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Papiss Cisse of Newcastle celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park on December 6, 2014
Read Next:
Chelsea's unbeaten record gone
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!