Predicted Chelsea Line-up To Face Stoke City In The Premier League
Chelsea returned back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion on the Boxing Day in the Premier League. Alvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso scored for the Blues as we moved a point closer to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, who were held for a 2-2 draw by Burnley at Old Trafford.
Stoke City, like many of Chelsea’s opponents over the past month, are not exactly in good form, but we cannot be complacent and should face this challenge tactfully.
The last time the two sides met in September, it turned out to be a forgettable day for Mark Hughes’ side at the BET365 stadium, as Morata inspired our club to a thumping 4-0 victory by scoring his first-ever Chelsea hat-trick.
Hughes will hope to avoid similar circumstances on Saturday and aim to give Antonio Conte’s side a few headaches at Stamford Bridge.
Team News
Chelsea are again without David Luiz, who is continuing to recover from a serious knee injury, whilst Charly Musonda remains a doubt for the game.
Andreas Christensen was hit by sickness prior to the game on Boxing Day but could return to the squad against Stoke.
Probable Chelsea XI
Formation: 3-4-1-2
Thibaut Courtois (GK)
Courtois is Chelsea’s undisputed No.1 and should start against Stoke City.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RCB)
Azpilicueta is possibly the most consistent defender we have and he should start the game on Saturday.
Andreas Christensen (CB)
Christensen missed the last game due to sickness but is expected to be back in the starting line-up. The 21-year-old has established himself as a regular at the heart of Antonio Conte’s defence and has impressed the Italian with his performances this season.
Gary Cahill (LCB)
The skipper will have a task cut out to marshal his defence against the physical Stoke side.
Victor Moses (RWB)
Since his return, Moses has provided Chelsea the width they were lacking previously. The Nigerian is defensively decent but adds more going forward.
Marcos Alonso (LWB)
What a super signing he is proving to be! The Spaniard is always a threat during set-pieces and demonstrated it with a bullet header against Brighton. Alonso is a guaranteed starter at the weekend.
Tiemoue Bakayoko (CM)
After struggling for form since his arrival from Monaco in the summer, the Frenchman is finally starting to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
N’Golo Kante (CM)
Kante played in our previous game and the diminutive midfielder has to play once again as we need to keep the Stoke midfielders at bay.
Cesc Fabregas (CAM)
Fabregas’s incisive passing and guile will be needed in the game against the Potters as we need to pick up three points at home.
Eden Hazard (ST)
Conte’s side were inspired by an Eden Hazard performance in which he played four positions, better than anyone else on the pitch; right wing, left wing, No.10 and centre-forward. He orchestrated Chelsea’s attacks and linked up pretty well with goalscorer Alvaro Morata.
Alvaro Morata (ST)
His return to the starting line-up made such a massive difference as the Spaniard scored a minute after half-time against Brighton. Stoke defenders will be wary of what he did last time at the BET365 stadium.