MX23RW : Friday, November 15 02:06:13| >> :120:40637:40637:

Preview: Chelsea vs. Stoke City

Preview: Chelsea vs. Stoke
© PA Photos
Chelsea play their first Premier League match under interim boss Roberto Di Matteo when they host Stoke this weekend.

Roberto Di Matteo faces his first Premier League test in charge of Chelsea as the Blues welcome Stoke City to Stamford Bridge.

The former English champions, who play their first domestic fixture without sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas, will be buoyed by their FA Cup 2-0 victory over Birmingham City in mid-week.

Di Matteo could welcome back Frank Lampard in replace of John Obi Mikel, while Didier Drogba should return to the fold in place of out-of-form striker Fernando Torres.

John Terry could start his first game in a month after recovering from an ankle injury, while Daniel Sturridge should retain his spot up front.

Tony Pulis has few injury woes ahead of the fixture and is expected to keep Glen Whelan and Dean Whitehead holding the midfield with Peter Crouch leading the line.

Current form:

Chelsea: LDLWLW
Stoke: LLWLWW

Possible lineups:

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Bertrand; Ramires, Lampard, Essien, Mata; Drogba, Sturridge

Stoke: Sorensen; Upson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson; Etherington, Whelan, Whitehead, Shotton; Crouch Walters

Sports Mole says: 2-1

ID:19194: cacheID:19194:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3350:

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:
Moussa Dembele and Jermaine Pennant
Read Next:
Pennant denies sanctions
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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!