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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

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Written by
Danielle Joynson

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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