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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

30 mins: Chance for Liverpool! Milner plays a wonderful, lofted through ball for Firmino but the forward can't gather it and Bravio pounces on the ball. Firmino should have taken that in his stride - if he did, he was in.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:59

31 mins: Firmino plays in Can on the edge of the area but his right-footed shot curls wide.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:00

31 mins: This must be the worst City have played this season. They have not had a shot on target and hardly set foot inside the Liverpool area. 

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:01

33 mins: Liverpool swarm all over City again as Klaven slams into De Bruyne with a tough but fair challenge. 

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:03

36 mins: Great pressing, again, from Liverpool, forcing City to play it long again. Aguero is so isolated up front.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:06

Georginio Wijnaldum heads Liverpool into the lead against Man City 

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:10

40 mins: Better from City, in that they are at least seeing more of the ball and keeping it. Liverpool looking hard to break down at the moment though.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:11

43 mins: De Bruyne charges forward and sees his shot deflected wide from the edge of the area. De Bruyne takes the corner and Liverpool clear. Better from City again, they are gradually growing into this match.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:13

44 mins: Oh dear Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian catches Zabaleta in possession inside the City half and has the chance to set Lallana away, but he delays a second too long with the pass and Lallana is flagged offside. 

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:15

45 mins: One minute added time

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:15

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