Stoke
City will be hoping for a repeat of their last performance at the Britannia
Stadium when they host Chelsea on
Monday Night Football.
The Potters put in their best home display of the season a fortnight ago as
they scored three first-half goals on their way to a 3-2 win over Arsenal.
Particularly impressive on that day was Bojan Krkic, who has been Stoke’s
standout player in recent weeks and looks as though he will be fit to face
Chelsea.
The Premier League leaders recovered from their first defeat of the campaign
at Newcastle by beating struggling Hull City 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last
weekend.
The Blues have kept a clean sheet in five of their last top-flight meetings
with Stoke, but were beaten 3-2 at the Britannia last season.
Team news
After sustaining a hip injury in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace,
Bojan has been training this week and looks as though he will be fit.
Defender Marc Muniesa has recovered from the hamstring complaint which
prevented him from being involved in the Palace match, while Mark Hughes is
optimistic a knee problem picked up by Stephen Ireland will not rule the
midfielder out.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois should be fit to return for Chelsea after
missing the last two matches with a muscular injury.
Didier Drogba should also be available after overcoming an ankle injury
sustained in the Capital One Cup win against Derby, while defender Kurt
Zouma is available for selection after suffering a head injury on Tuesday.
Opta stats
Chelsea have lost only one of their last 19 Premier League games played on a
Monday (W11 D7 L1) while Stoke are unbeaten in their last six Premier League
games played on a Monday (W2 D4).
Eden Hazard has made more successful passes in the attacking third than any
other Premier League player this season (450).
Hazard has not scored a Premier League goal away from home since January 11,
with his last 11 goals in the competition all coming at Stamford Bridge.
Stoke City have conceded a goal in each of their last 10 Premier League
games; the longest run without a clean sheet in the competition this season.
Merson’s prediction
I don’t like going against Stoke at home but I just think Chelsea are so
good it’s unreal.
Stoke at home on a Monday night will be freezing cold, Man City will have
already won so they’ll both be level on points and all of a sudden the
pressure is on.
I very rarely go against Stoke at home but Chelsea are on different level
all together and I have to go for them here.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2
top