Premier League - Stoke City vs Chelsea

Premier League Matchday 17 sees Chelsea travel to Stoke-on-Trent to take on former player Mark Hughes' Stoke City side at the Britannia Stadium. The match effectively represents the opening of the busy Christmas period; indeed, it is the first of 4 Premier League matches in 10 or so days for England's top flight side, and doubtless each club will be aiming to kick off their journey in it in the best possible way with a win on Monday evening.










The corresponding fixture last term saw the home side run out unexpected 3-2 winners. André Schurrle opened the scoring for the visitors on 9 minutes, but the home side clawed their way back into it through Peter Crouch just 3 minutes before the halftime whistle to put Mark Hughes' men on level terms going into the interval. The hosts then struck again just 5 minutes after the restart through Stephen Ireland, but another eaqualiser at the Britannia would soon prove on the cards as André Schurrle netted his and Chelsea's second on the afternoon just 3 minutes later to even things up yet again. The proceedings appeared headed for a final stalemate, but in the dying seconds of regular time, Oussama Assaidi hit a sensational goal into the top corner of Petr Cech's net, condemning José Mourinho's men to late defeat.










The sides attained differing results in their Matchday 16 fixtures the weekend previous. Chelsea triumphed 2-0 over faltering Hull City at Stamford Bridge courtesy of goals from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa either side of the break, while Stoke negotiated a 1-all draw a few miles away at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace as 2 goals in as many minutes started and summarily concluded the afternoon's scoring with James McArthur's 11th minute opener for the hosts and Peter Crouch's equaliser 2 minutes later.










The Blues' record at the Britannia, while not pristine, is quite good, especially compared to how other top sides have fared at the notoriously difficult venue over the years. Indeed, since the Potters' promotion to the top flight ahead of the 08-09 season, the Londoners have lost just 1 of 6 matches, winning 3. José Mourinho will certainly be looking to make that 4










Neil Swarbrick, who last officiated for Stoke in their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in early October and for Chelsea in their 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town in the Capital One Cup later thatmonth, has been appointed referee for Monday's affair.










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First game in three weeks for me. I can't wait

Monday atleast no work.

mikel matic experiment -- to be continued ? or finished ?
Hope schürrle will start the match instead of willian.

No chance Mikel will start over Fàbregas now that he's available again.

Thiba Drogba & Zouma all will be available.
Dr Eva Carneiro effect.

So we have a full squad then?

Aké the only doubt (late fitness test) says Physioroom

Right, good to know.

Everyone wanted to make sure they were fit and ready for your first game back.

'Cept Ake, since he is a BAMF.

sumon_blue wrote:mikel matic experiment -- to be continued ? or finished ?
Hope schürrle will start the match instead of willian.

Schurrle was so poor when given chances.

Stoke away always feels uneasy for me. I hope Cahill will up his game. He has not been on top for some times.

Yeah, worrisome considering City are now level with us.

We need to win this game. The pressure is up since Man City won their game.

Exactly.

We're gonna lose this game. You can sense it.

I can't...

What else is new

We'll know the pressure is on and step up our game. I think we'll draw at worst.

We'll be down a player, and Costa doesn't seem like an away scorer either.

Need to rely on Cesc for this game maybe...

Predicting a goalless draw

CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa

Mikel in for Oscar and we go to 4-3-3