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Stuttering Chelsea make the trip to Stoke City on Saturday evening hoping to avoid a third successive Premier League defeat as the pressure continues to mount on Jose Mourinho. However, the champions face a Potters side who know a thing or two about beating the Blues at the Britannia Stadium, having dumped them out of the Capital One Cup just last month.
Chelsea will look to build on their galvanising Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday night when Jose Mourinho's side travel to play Stoke on Saturday.
The Portuguese coach was relieved of some of the intense pressure he has been under in recent weeks after the Blues beat Dynamo 2-1 at Stamford Bridge - a game which was characterised by Willian's stunning solo performance as well as the Chelsea fans' fierce support for Mourinho.
The Blues boss admitted afterwards the supporters chanting his name several times during the game was "amazing" before urging his team to use the momentum to beat Stoke on Saturday - even though he will not be present due to his one-match stadium ban imposed by the FA on Monday.
However, Mark Hughes' side have already beaten the Blues in the League Cup, albeit on penalties, this season which will make Chelsea's aim of trying to secure just their fourth victory of the current Premier League campaign all the more tricky.
But what else do fans need to know about the game at the Britannia Stadium this weekend? Read on to find out:
Kick Off and Live Telecast
Channel: StarSports 4, StarSports HD4.
Live Stream: starsports.com
Date and Time: Saturday, 7th November 2015 – 2300 IST (1900 BST)
Venue: Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent.
Team News
Stoke City
Stoke defender Geoff Cameron returns after recovering from a thigh strain which saw him miss the last two games. While, Phil Bardsley is available after serving a one-match suspension, but midfielder Marco van Ginkel is ineligible against his parent club. Stoke will also be missing Marc Muniesa, who is suffering from a hamstring issue, and Shay Given (knee).
Chelsea
Mourinho will be without Thibaut Courtois, who continues to work his way back to full fitness following knee surgery, Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) and Radamel Falcao (muscle) for the trip to Stoke. Chelsea forward Pedro is fit again and returned as a substitute in the midweek victory over Dynamo Kiev.
Defender Branislav Ivanovic has returned to training after recovering from a hamstring injury. However, the Blues will have to do without their manager Jose Mourinho, who has been given a one-match stadium ban over his behaviour in the defeat by West Ham.
Probable line-ups
Stoke City (4-2-3-1):
Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Adam; Shaqiri, Bojan, Cameron; Walters.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Begovic; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
Form
Stoke City
It has been an up and down Premier League season for Stoke City in a campaign which is yet to really take off. It took seven games for Mark Hughes's men to get off the mark - but it was worth the wait. Mame Biram Diouf was the hero as his 83rd-minute winner secured a 2-1 victory at home to Bournemouth on September 26.
Stoke have also not had much joy in the top-flight in their last two games after securing a goalless draw away to Newcastle last Saturday while being beaten 2-0 at home to Watford the previous week. The visit of Chelsea comes at a good time for Saturday's hosts, though. Stoke need a big game to get their hunger back and the visit of the champions would certainly do that.
Furthermore, Stoke come into the contest with a victory over Chelsea already under their belts this season, having knocked them out of the League Cup in the fourth round last month. Jon Walters's second-half strike had them on course for a 1-0 win in regulation, but Loic Remy equalised on 91 minutes, with Phil Bardsley then sent off just before extra time.
Despite the man disadvantage, Hughes's side survived to the shootout, before progressing with a 5-4 win. Few would be surprised to see the Potters do the double over Chelsea come Saturday.
Last 5 games: W-W-W-L-D (Last Match: Newcastle United 0-0 Stoke City)
Chelsea
Fourteen points behind co-leaders Manchester City and Arsenal. Fifteenth in the table after losing six of their first 11 games. With 21 goals shipped - having conceded 32 in the whole of last season - it can be no surprise to learn that Mourinho's men, the Premier League champions, are 80/1 to retain their title after crunching the numbers of a disastrous start to the campaign.
Last week's 3-1 defeat at home to Liverpool confirmed their worst start to a league season since 1978-79. In an awkward post-match interview, Mourinho repeatedly stated that he had "nothing to say". There was nothing to say. The West Londoners were woeful again, having lost by the same scoreline at West Ham United previously.
Ramires had fired the Blues ahead against Liverpool but, not for the first time this season, they threw it away. A Philippe Coutinho brace and another from Christian Benteke sealed Chelsea's fate. Prior to kickoff, it was reported that another defeat would spell the end for Mourinho, but the Portuguese has lived to fight another day - for now. Captain John Terry is the latest in a long line of Chelsea players to publicly back their manager amid speculation of a revolt.
But they are only words and the players' on-the-pitch displays have been betraying their off-the-field sentiments. There can only be one way to show their support for Mourinho. The visit of Dynamo Kiev for Champions League duty on Wednesday was a welcome distraction from their domestic woes, but it was a victory that hardly put paid to suggestions that they have turned a corner.
Willian, perhaps the only Chelsea player to enhance his reputation in this crisis, was the hero again as his 83rd-minute free kick snatched a 2-1 win. However, it has been a case of one step forward and two steps back too often for Chelsea and even the most optimistic supporter would not assume that the win over Dynamo is a signal that the crisis is over.
Mourinho will not be present at the Britannia due to his one-match stadium ban, and the visitors' performance should prove whether they are really ready to fight for their manager.
Last 5 games: D-L-L-L-W (Last Match: Chelsea 2-1 Dynamo Kiev)
Key Stats
- Stoke have only beaten Chelsea once in the Premier League (D3, L11).
- Stoke have lost three of their five league matches at home this season, with their only victory coming against Bournemouth in September.
- The Potters have scored the fewest goals in the Premier League this season, with just nine in 11 games.
- Mark Hughes' side have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four league games.
- Jack Butland has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season (46).
- Chelsea have suffered two successive league defeats - they have never lost three in a row under Roman Abramovich's ownership. The last time was in October 1999 when Gianluca Vialli was the manager.
- Chelsea have only won two of their last nine matches in all competitions (D3, L4).
- Jose Mourinho has lost six league matches already this season - he's never lost seven in a single league season as a manager.
- Chelsea have conceded 12 goals in their five league games away from home at an average of 2.4 per game.
Key Battles
Jack Butland vs Chelsea’s attackers.
In Stoke’s last game, Jack Butland single-handedly saved them from recording yet another loss and he will need to do this again as they face the Blues. The Potters’ defenders are second-rate compared to the world class attackers such as Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, so Butland will need to be aware of defensive mistakes and pounce on them instantly.
If Stoke can do this then they may find luck on the attack as Chelsea’s defenders are in poor form and devoid of confidence. If the custodian fails to perform then the hosts could concede easy goals.
Ryan Shawcross vs Diego Costa
Diego Costa will be the main man up front for the Blues who will be looking to bring their Champions League form into the Premier League. Costa has so far been disappointing and is one of the reasons why Chelsea have not been performing as well as they did last term. Whereas, Ryan Shawcross has been in prime form for the Potters. He has seen plenty of the ball, and has built attacks from the back.
Costa will look to threaten the defender and make his mark on the game. Both players play a physical game, which could mean the fans can see a tough battle when the two collide on Saturday afternoon. However, the stats are with Shawcross, who had come out on top the last time the two clubs went head to head in the League. The result could be decided by this battle.
Prediction
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea
The two teams are very close on the table and this game could prove to be a tight contest. Going by Chelsea’s away record, it could be tough for the Londoners to come back from Stoke with all three points. It will be a hard-fought match between the two sides.
Betting odds (bet365)
Stoke City to win: 3/1
Chelsea to win: 21/20
Draw: 5/2
