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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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1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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