MX23RW : Monday, December 23 15:42:24| >> :60:650:650:
[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


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Written by
Darren Plant
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4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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