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As it happenedended

Chelsea vs Stoke live: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on and where can I watch it?

Everything you need to know about Chelsea vs Stoke

Jack Portley,George Cooper
Friday 30 December 2016 15:49 EST
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Diego Costa returns from suspension for Chelsea against Stoke
Diego Costa returns from suspension for Chelsea against Stoke (Getty)

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Antonio Conte’s Chelsea juggernaut seems to be unstoppable at the moment.

On New Year’s Eve, they can claim their 13th straight Premier League win and equal Arsenal’s record for the most consecutive victories in a single season.

Standing in their way is Stoke City, who initially impressed at Anfield on Tuesday night before being blown away and going down 4-1.

With one or perhaps both of Liverpool and Manchester City assured of dropping points later, Chelsea could potentially end the year eight points clear at the summit.

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It’s a big game for…

Jon Walters: The Stoke forward hasn’t scored since his goal in the Potters’ 2-0 victory over Burnley at the beginning of the month. With Marko Arnautovic out through suspension too, Walters may be the visitors’ main hope of a goal at Stamford Bridge.

Weird stat…

1: In the last three meetings between the two sides, neither team has scored more than one goal.

Remember when…

In an affair between the two sides in April 2015, Charlie Adam scored this audacious effort from his own half but saw his side fall to a 2-1 defeat.

Player to watch…

Eden Hazard: After a pretty dismal campaign last season, the Belgian looks invigorated under new boss Antonio Conte. Stoke will do well to avoid a drubbing from what seems like an unstoppable Chelsea side at the moment.

Eden Hazard celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Bournemouth
Eden Hazard celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Bournemouth (Getty)

Past three meetings…

Chelsea 1 (Traore) Stoke 1 (Diouf), Premier League, March 2016

Stoke 1 (Arnautovic) Chelsea 0, Premier League, November 2015

Stoke 1 (Walters) Chelsea 1 (Remy) (Stoke win on penalties) EFL Cup, October 2015

Form guide…

Chelsea: WWWWWW

Stoke: LWWLDD

Charlie Adam scored against Chelsea from his own half (Getty)
Charlie Adam scored against Chelsea from his own half (Getty) (Getty Images)

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 15:00, Saturday 31st December 2016

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC TWO – 10pm

Odds…

Chelsea to win: 2/7

Stoke to win: 12/1

Draw: 5/1

45 mins: Sterling does well to prevent Milner getting in a cross, and ends up on his backside as a result. He doesn't look a happy chap at the moment, the ex-Liverpool winger.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:18

HALF-TIME

Strange half. Liverpool deserve their lead, given them by a fabulous Wijnaldum header, but that's been just about the only moment of excitement. Pep Guardiola's side were woeful for half an hour but there were signs towards the end of the half they were finding their feet. Plenty more life left in this one.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:20

Manchester City only had three touches inside the Liverpool penalty area during the first half - three!

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:26

KICK-OFF

And off we go in the second half

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:32

46 mins: Liverpool straight on the attack. Firmino, inside the area, picks out Clyne but the Liverpool right-back doesn't really compose himself and scuffs his shot wide. 

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:34

49 mins: Great interplay between Wijnaldum and Lallana puts City on the back foot again but the visitors manage to clear. Liverpool have started this half at a higher tempo.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:38

52 mins: City have had a shot! A swift break ends with Aguero powering a shot but it's straight at Mignolet. City's first effort on target.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:41

56 mins: That really was close! This time it's David Silva who whips a left-footed shot inches wide of Mignolet's post. A warning for Liverpool.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:43

57 mins: A  terrific diagonal pass from Toure finds Sterling on the stretch but he volleys into the side netting. The visitors much improved.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:44

59 mins: Kolarov volleys from the edge of the area, but the shot is deflected straight at Mignolet.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:46

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