Chelsea vs Stoke City
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick off: 5:30pm
Nigerian international, Victor Moses, has been effectively ruled out as Chelsea will be looking to take another step closer to the Premier League title when they host Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (today).
It has been another season of progress for the Potters under Mark Hughes, although injuries are threatening their chances of posting a best ever Premier League points total.
They are hoping to surpass the 50 points and ninth-place finish they achieved in the Welshman’s debut campaign last term and currently sit 10th in the table, on 42 points with eight games of the season remaining.
However, they have had to contend with a series of defensive injuries of late, while Chelsea loanee, Moses, joining Bojan on the sidelines has left their attack a little short of sparkle in their last two defeats.
On the other hand, Chelsea are not exactly romping to the title, but the engravers would be fairly safe putting Chelsea’s name on the trophy now.
Six points clear and with a game in hand on City and Arsenal below them, Jose Mourinho’s side are unlikely to throw away a first league championship since 2009-10 from here.
Although they are not producing the authoritative performances that they did early in the season, the Blues are unbeaten in nine league games following their 3-2 victory at Hull City.
Both Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are expected to shake off an injury to start against the Potters, have scored twice in their last three games and should provide the Londoners with the energy and goals that they need to get over the line.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; Costa
Stoke possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Bardsley, Wollscheid, Shawcross, Pieters; Whelan, N’Zonzi; Arnautovic, Adam, Diouf; Walters.
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