Chelsea will look to get their faltering season back on track when they play host to Mark Hughes’ Stoke City side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Saturday, 5th April Kick-off: 17:30 GMT On TV: Sky Sports 1/HD Saturday Night Football
The wheels appear to have come off of Chelsea’s otherwise solid season as of late, with two away defeats on the trot in the league before being shown up by PSG in Paris on Wednesday night.
Saturday’s game will be a chance for Chelsea to bounce back following a humbling defeat in midweek, which left their entire season in jeopardy by leaving qualification for the Champions League semis as a huge task.
Chelsea’s title hopes appear to be all but done with but a win is vital against Stoke to reestablish a foothold and start a run of results for the remaining games of the season, where Chelsea can still win 2 competitions.
Last weeks shock defeat away to Tony Pulis’ Crystal Palace side dented the side’s confidence, meaning Stamford Bridge is the perfect place for Chelsea to get their first win since beating Arsenal 6-0.
Stoke City, with a changed style since the appointment of Mark Hughes, sit comfortably in 10th position, 14 points clear of danger following a season in which relegation had been a real possibility at times.
Chelsea, who still boast the best defence in the league, have lost their last two games due to lapses in defensive concentration, but Mourinho has given no suggestions that he is ready to change the back line.
The Blues are still second in the league, two points behind Liverpool, but realistically must start preparing to slide down to third as Manchester City still have games in hand.
Liverpool appear to be the only ‘big’ team Chelsea have to face in their Premier League run in, but any Chelsea fan will be forgiven for worrying more about the smaller games, going by the pattern of their sides season so far.
The teams last met in January, when an Oscar freekick was enough to send Chelsea through in the FA Cup tie. In mid December, Stoke shocked Chelsea with a late 3-2 victory at the Britannia Stadium which is one of five Chelsea league defeats this season.
Chelsea fans, and possibly the manager, will be rooting for the return of Samuel Eto’o to the Chelsea side following two disappointing performances by Fernando Torres up top. Andre Schurrle was even selected over the Spaniard for midweek’s defeat.
The Cameroonian has 11 goals this season and appears to be Mourinho’s go-to man when deciding on his front player. However, there is no doubt that the boss will be looking to bring in a big name up top for next season.
Chelsea will also be boosted by the return of Nemanja Matic. The Serb missed Chelsea’s defeat to PSG as Chelsea got dominated is all areas, sourcing from midfield.
The defence is likely to remain unchanged as replacements would fail to make too much of a difference.
Eden Hazard and Willian are likely to start, but the dwindling form of playmaker Oscar is a worry for Mourinho and we could see Schurrle or Mohamad Salah take the Brazilian’s place in the starting XI.
Chelsea’s attacking options will depend on injuries, but as always, the main threat is likely to come from that attacking trio behind the striker, rather than the frontman himself.
In terms of absentees, Chelsea will be missing Ramires as he continues his suspension, and news must be awaited on Samuel Eto’o.
Stoke have a couple of big losses, with Robert Huth and Oussama Assaidi both missing with knee injuries for Mark Hughes’ side.
Chelsea title rivals both have favourable matches, with top place Liverpool travelling to West Ham and Man City hosting Southampton, one would imagine both sides will keep their title bids well and truly on track.
However, Stoke City are unbeaten in five, winning their previous three, so they are a side not to be taken lightly as Chelsea go on the quest for their first win since the Arsenal triumph.
With just 6 matches to go in Chelsea’s league campaign, every three points is vital to maintain any chance of a top placed finish, and three points at home (where Mourinho remains unbeaten in the league) will be a good platform to a strong finish to the season.
Chelsea vs Stoke City Pre-match facts
- Chelsea have now lost 3 of their last 5 games after losing just one in the previous 17 (Opta)
- Luiz Suarez has managed 25 more PL shots on target than Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o combined this season
- Chelsea have won 42 of their 85 meetings with Stoke City, losing 24 and drawing 19
Chelsea vs Stoke City Possible Lineups
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Lampard; Willian, Hazard, Salah; Eto’o
Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Whelan, N’Zonzi, Odemwingie, Arnautovic, Ireland; Crouch
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Stoke City
