Chelsea vs Stoke, Premier League: What time does it start, where can I watch it and what are the odds?
Chelsea vs Stoke: Follow all the action live!
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea will hope to continue to put pressure on Jose Mourinho’s second-placed Manchester United by beating a Stoke side with three losses in their last five outings. Chelsea have recovered well from their shock loss to West Ham earlier in the month by picking up 10 points from their previous four games.
Stoke put an end to a dire run of form with a 3-1 victory against West Brom and an away draw against a determined Huddersfield side. The Potters have never beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and will be more than happy to take a point from the game before taking on Premier League strugglers Newcastle two days later.
Antonio Conte may look to rotate his squad with one eye on his side’s trip to the Emirates less than a week away. The Italian has no fresh injury concerns going into the fixture. David Luiz is still absent with a knee injury. Andreas Christensen could return after missing Chelsea’s win over Brighton with illness.
Mark Hughes is facing an injury crisis heading into a hectic week of fixtures. First team regulars Ryan Shawcross, Glen Johnson and Bruno Martins Indi are all absent, while Kurt Zouma is injured and ineligible to play against his parent club.
What time does it start?
Chelsea vs Stoke is at 15:00 on Saturday.
Where can I watch it?
The game will not be televised but highlights will be available on Match of the Day at 22:30 on Saturday on BBC1.
It’s a big game for…
Mark Hughes. The Stoke manager has come under increasing scrutiny for his side’s performances this season. The Potters have lost 10 games this season, and boast the worst defensive record in the league, having conceded 41 goals. Losing three games back-to-back in December saw calls for Hughes to be sacked, though an upturn in form in their past two fixtures has silenced those calls for the time being. Stoke have lost their last three in the league to Chelsea and Hughes will be desperate to avoid a repeat here.
Best stat…
Stoke have gone 10 games without keeping a clean sheet and look unlikely to do so here having lost 14 of their 19 Premier League encounters with Chelsea, their worst record against any opponent in the competition.
Player to watch…
Marcos Alonso. The Spanish full-back has now scored five goals this season from his customary wing-back position, scoring two in his last three games. Since signing for Chelsea no defender in the Premier League has been involved in more goals than the former-Bolton man (14). Against a depleted Stoke defence, Alonso will surely fancy his chances of adding to this tally.
Previous three meetings…
Chelsea 4 Stoke 0, Premier League, 23 September 2017
Stoke 1 Chelsea 2, Premier League, 18 March 2017
Chelsea 4 Stoke 2, Premier League, 31 December 2016
Form guide…
Chelsea: LWWDW
Stoke: LLLWD
Odds…
Chelsea: 2/11
Stoke: 14/1
Draw: 6/1
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