Preview
Chelsea welcome Stoke to Stamford Bridge this Saturday in a fixture which is important to The Blues in terms of league positions. A win over Stoke would allow us to overtake them and finish the weekend in at least 9th position in the league.
In our last 3 league outings Chelsea have claimed 3 wins which has fired us up the table and into the top half of the league which has made our chances of playing European football next season a lot more likely. Europa League football is certainly a possibility whereas qualifying in a Champions League spot seems a near impossible task. However this season has been the most unpredictable in the Premier League era so anything could happen.
Like Chelsea, Stoke are going into the game off the back of 3 successive wins. Therefore this weekend’s match isn’t expected to be an easy one.
Guus Hiddink has helped settle the squad and allowed them to play with freedom since taking charge on a interim basis. Undoubtedly this has lead to improved performances which Stoke will certainly struggle against this weekend.
Stoke have never won a league match at Stamford Bridge since its inception in 1992 however they did beat us at home in 1995 but this win for The Potters came in The League Cup. Hopefully that run will be extended this weekend, come on you Blues!
Match Details
Saturday, 5th March, kick off at 3:00pm at Stamford Bridge.
Recent Form
Chelsea are in a good spell of form at the moment having won 4 of our last 5 matches. These wins have come against Newcastle, Man City, Southampton and Norwich. Half of these wins ended in a 5-1 victory for us and the other half a 2-1 victory. Our only defeat was in Paris after PSG beat us 2-1.
Stoke have won 3 of their last 5 matches which have all come in their last 3 games against Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Newcastle. Their 2 losses were both 3-0 defeats to Man United and Everton.
Team News
Kenedy and Eden Hazard both picked up minor knocks in the second half against Norwich. No return date has been set for Kenedy but Hazard is expected to be fit and ready to play this weekend.
Pedro remains side lined with a hamstring injury and isn’t expected back until either our Champions League clash with PSG or The FA Cup game away to Everton 3 days later.
John Terry has been working on a return and is back doing light work on the pitch but is a doubt for this weekend. Hiddink said the captain will have to take part in a high intensity game of 6 or 7 a-side in training before he can return for us.
Glen Johnson will miss a return to Stamford Bridge to face his former club with a knee injury, likewise Ryan Shawcross will also miss the trip with a back injury.
Marc Wilson and Charlie Adam are two more players to miss the match with a knee ligament injury and calf injury respectively.
While Phil Bardsley will also be a doubt after picking up a shin injury last night against Newcastle.
My Prediction
Chelsea 2-0 Stoke
