Chelsea were forced to grind out what looked like initially being a routine victory after going two up against Hull last time out in the league thanks to early goals from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. A spirited fightback from Hull however ensured that the scoreline was kept more than respectable, the home side pushing the leaders all the way in an eventual 2-3 win for the Blues.
Belgian forward Eden Hazard continues to be one Chelsea’s leading attacking lights this season, repeatedly pushing them on when it looks like games are going away from them. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows us that he will likely be the man Stoke will need to keep an eye again this weekend, given that he is the only player in the Barclays Premier League to have completed more than 1,000 passes in the opponent’s half (1,178) and also completed more than 100 dribbles (178).
Diego Costa will also no doubt be looking to menace the Stoke defence on Saturday, his debut season in England seeing him rack up some superb offensive statistics. He’s now had 58 attempts on goal, 63.8% of which have been on target. He also has the fourth best minutes per goal ratio of any player to have played more than 1,000 minutes this season, finding the back of the net on average once every 102 minutes this term. Costa is 11/3 with 888sport.com to score at any time this weekend.
Captain John Terry has continued to defy the critics who’ve said his best years are behind him, putting in some cultured performances at the back for the Blues this season. He has most certainly not lost his gift for judging a tackle, seeing him win an excellent 79.6% of the 49 tackles he’s attempted.
Despite going ahead early in the first half through Mame Biram Diouf’s neatly taken finish, Stoke couldn’t hold on as Crystal Palace game back through goals from Glenn Murray and Wilfried Zaha to ensure the Eagles went home with all three points in a 1-2 win.
Midfielder Charlie Adam put in a serious shift against Crystal Palace and he will no doubt have to do the same this weekend when up against a Chelsea side full of passing flair and technique who will no doubt dominate the majority of possession. He covered a standout 10.9km against the Eagles, more than any other Stoke player according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Phil Bardsley has been turning in some assured displays for Stoke this season and he will likely have his work cut out for him again at the back against the current league leaders. He appears up to the task though, having compiled one of the best tackle success rates in the Potters squad, winning 75.6% of his 86 attempted challenges this season, as well as racking up 31 interceptions.
Up front, it may be a lonely shift for Mame Biram Diouf who will likely have to put in a tireless effort to get any change out of the Chelsea back four. He’s enjoyed a decent campaign though, one that currently sees him as Stoke’s top scorer in the league with eight goals, having hit the target with a solid 54.8% of his 31 attempts on goal. Biram Diouf is 23/4 with 888sport.com to score at any time.
Cheslea vs Stoke Possible Lineups:
Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; CostaCheslea vs Stoke
Begovic; Bardsley, Wollscheid, Shawcross, Pieters; Whelan, N’Zonzi; Arnautovic, Adam, Diouf; Walters
Cheslea vs Stoke Match Facts:
- Stoke have failed to score in six of their last seven league games against Chelsea.
- The Potters have only earned five points out of a possible 39 in 13 Premier League games between the sides (W1, D2, L10).
- Chelsea have drawn three of their last four league games at home (W1) and have only scored once in each of those matches.
- The Blues are the only team in the four divisions of English football with an unbeaten home record in the league this season, winning 11 games and drawing three.
- They have conceded just six goals in their 14 league matches at Stamford Bridge.
- Stoke have suffered consecutive defeats in the league – they have only lost three successive matches on one occasion this season.
- Despite those defeats, they have only lost five of their last 16 league games (W8, D3).
- They have eight more points than they did at this stage last season – when they went on to finish with their highest-ever Premier League tally of 50 points.
Facts compiled from BBC
Cheslea vs Stoke Prediction: