Chelsea
travel to Stoke in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup hoping to make it
five straight quarter-final appearances in the competition.
It's been a difficult few weeks for Chelsea, the 2015 League Cup winners,
since their third-round win at Walsall with just one win at home to Aston
Villa coming from their last six matches in all competitions.
Jose Mourinho, who has won the League Cup three times with Chelsea, will be
hoping the Capital One Cup is a welcome distraction for his side, who are
looking to respond from a fifth Premier League loss from 10 games this
season following their 2-1 defeat against West ham on Saturday.
However, Stoke have enjoyed an excellent record against Chelsea when it
comes to League Cup action.
The Potters have eliminated Chelsea every time they've faced them in the
League Cup, winning four ties including the 1972 final and they will be
hoping that record continues.
Team news
Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross is set to make his maiden first-team appearance
of the season having recovered from back surgery.
Along with the centre-back, striker Mame Biram Diouf - who was recently
granted compassionate leave - is also poised for a return to action in the
fourth-round tie at the Britannia Stadium, but forward Bojan Krkic (toe) is
a doubt.
Marc Muniesa (thigh) may miss out, but fellow defenders Geoff Cameron
(thigh) and Erik Pieters (suspended) will not feature.
Nemanja Matic missed last season's Capital One Cup final through suspension
and is again banned after his dismissal at West Ham.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is among those who could replace Matic, but Mourinho is
unlikely to revert to the largely second-string side chosen at Walsall.
Striker Loic Remy and forward Pedro have missed the last two matches, at
Dynamo Kiev and West Ham, and are likely to miss out again, joining
goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (knee) and Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) on the
sidelines.
Asmir Begovic is expected to continue in goal on what would be his first
return to the Britannia, although Marco Amelia was on the substitutes' bench
at Upton Park following his free transfer arrival and could be in line for
his first Chelsea start.
Opta stats
The Potters have reached the fourth round in seven of their last eight
seasons, progressing twice (2008/09 and 2013/14).
Stoke have lost their last three home League Cup ties against Premier League
opposition, twice in the fourth round.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last ten away fourth round League Cup ties,
winning nine and drawing one, last losing in away at this stage in 1976.
Chelsea have netted 36 goals in their 15 League Cup games since the 2012/13
season.
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
Well, what is going on with this 'Blue Machine' which we all recognised
before? Mark Hughes will be thinking this a good time to play Chelsea,
especially at home, and should he rest too many when we haven't been playing
too well anyway?
I did Stoke at the weekend in the 2-0 defeat by Watford, and in all honesty
they were poor and I thought they poor before on Monday Night Football as
well, when they won 1-0 at Swansea. I just think their passing has gone
right off the boil.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was a score draw then potentially Stoke to
win in extra-time or the flip of a coin which is penalties.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 and Stoke to qualify win in
extra-time (16/1 with Sky Bet)
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