By John Dobbo , via Wikimedia CommonsThe league leading Blues of Chelsea FC head to Stoke City to take on the Potters in a Premier League match. Fresh off a victory over Derby City in the League Cup (Capital One Cup, for sponsorship reasons), the Blues are looking to maintain their 4 point lead on top of the Premier League.
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Teams visiting the Britannia Stadium are always in for a very physical battle, as the Potters are renowned for imposing their will on the opposition. With Chelsea leading the league, the Potters will be hoping to knock the league leaders off their perch. Chelsea FC manager Jose Mourinho mentioned he isn’t worried about the physical nature of the side, saying that is the referees job to control the match,
"I know it’s difficult for every team to play this kind of match and we are no exception, but I’m not worried because the referee is there. ‘The referee is there to judge what is aggressive – which is welcome because it makes the game much more beautiful and difficult – and what goes beyond the rules.”- Jose Mourinho, Chelsea FC manager"
Despite a poor result last season at the Britannia, the Blues have added a much more physical striker to lead the line in Diego Costa, which should help the Blues tomorrow. Chelsea are favored again tomorrow, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Stoke earn a draw at home.
Chelsea FC Team News
Chelsea FC’s star Belgian keeper Thibault Courtois could be cleared to play, but I believe we will see Petr Cech in goal against a physical Stoke City, and Courtois can return for the Boxing Day match against West Ham. Zouma had a scare in our last match, so I see Cahill returning to partner JT in central defense. We should see a nearly full strength Chelsea side against Stoke.
Chelsea FC Predicted Starting XI
————————–Cech—————————
—Azpilicueta———–Cahill——-JT———Ivanovic
—————Fabregas————-Matic————–
—-Willian————-Oscar———-Hazard——-
—————————Costa————————-
Predicted Result
Chelsea FC 3-1 Stoke City.
Chelsea should win easily, really a trip to Stoke with this new Chelsea side shouldn’t be any trouble, but with our history against tough, physical opponents, you never know. I’m confident in a victory, however.
UTC!