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CHELSEA v Stoke: Preview

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Date: Saturday, 10 March

Kick-off: 15.00 GMT

 

Here we go then, Roberto Di Matteo’s first Premier League game in charge and all eyes will be on events at Stamford Bridge today as we take on Stoke. Everything from team selection to the number count of words exchanged between the player and their new manager will be scrutinised by the press as they look for the slightest scrap to blow out of all proportion.

Last time we played Stoke, it was unspectacular to say the least and whilst we managed a fairly comfortable win in the cup mid-week, no-one should be getting carried away with that result in itself. The Premier League, as we know,  is a whole different ball game and Stoke will be tougher opposition than an injury-hit Birmingham side.

 

 

MANAGERS’ VIEWS

Ahead of his first Premier League home game in charge, following a week where the club has been under the microscope, Roberto Di Matteo says “I’ve been speaking to the players for these five days, trying to make them understand they have a responsibility to themselves, the club and the supporters to achieve the targets and win the remaining games. I feel I have everyone onside.’’

His opposition manager, alongside some kind words for the departing AVB, has a few more for Nando, saying “I went to Birmingham and watched him the other night and I thought he did absolutely fantastically.  I thought he worked his socks off and that his movement was brilliant.  He just needs a little bit of luck in front of goal – I just hope he doesn’t get it against us on Saturday. His attitude was fantastic.”

 

 

SQUAD NEWS

For Chelsea, John Terry (knee), Ashley Cole (heel) and Bosingwa (bit of welcome relief from poor play) all return from injury and RDM has a full squad to choose from.

For Stoke, Wilkinson (hamstring) is a doubt and faces a late fitness test alongside Delap (hamstring).

 

 

TEAMS

CHELSEA (from): Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cahill, Bertrand, Ramires, Lampard, Mikel, Meireles, Kalou, Sturridge, Torres, Mata, Essien, Hilario, Drogba, Lukaku, Bosingwa, Turnbull.

STOKE (from): Begovic, Sorensen, Huth, Upson, Shotton, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Wilson, Woodgate, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington, Diao, Pennant, Delap, Arismendi, Palacios, Jones, Fuller, Jerome, Crouch, Walters.

 

 

LAST MEETING

Stoke 0-0 Chelsea (14th August 2011)

 

 

PREDICTION

Here we go again, another one of these ‘they haven’t won at Stamford Bridge for….37 games….4 decades…etc’, because for today’s opponents, you have to cast your mind back to 1974 and the old Division One to remember their last win at Stamford Bridge. Looking at current form though, the visitors have had wins in their last couple of games whilst we’ve had one win from our last six, so it’d be no real surprise to see us struggle to stretch that run another season.  On the other hand, like my ‘source’, anyone else predict our players will somehow recall how to put the ball in the back of the net sufficiently under new management to come away with a 3-0 win?

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