Played
August 28, 2010 3:00 PM BST
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: M. Atkinson
Attendance: 40931
August 28, 2010 3:00 PM BST
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: M. Atkinson
Attendance: 40931
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Chelsea | 1.11 | 1.10 | 1.13 | 1.11 | 1.12 |
| Draw | 8.00 | 6.50 | 11.00 | 7.00 | 6.00 |
| Stoke City | 23.00 | 17.00 | 32.00 | 19.00 | 15.00 |
Premier League Preview: Chelsea - Stoke
By Alex Dimond
By Alex Dimond
Looking for another home run
After two 6-0 wins to start the season, how about a third for Chelsea? It's certainly not out of the question for the Premier League champions, especially as they romped to a 7-0 hammering last time they played host to Saturday's visitors, Stoke City.
On that occasion it was Salomon Kalou that was the hero, with a hat-trick that was nicely complimented by a brace from Frank Lampard and one apiece for Florent Malouda and Daniel Sturridge.
There is little to suggest similar proficiency in front of goal couldn't be the order of the day again on Saturday. Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba have already accounted for eight of the 12 league goals the Blues have notched so far this season, and all are likely to be deployed at the weekend.
Indeed, perhaps the only choice Ancelotti has to face is whether he rotates his starting eleven ahead of challenges to come. The likes of Kalou, Ferreira and even new signing Ramires could all be slotted into the lineup to rest other first-choice performers, but will the former AC Milan manager want to risk a change to the chemistry that has delivered such an impressive start to the campaign?
Once more into the breach
After a slow start to the season, Stamford Bridge is perhaps the absolute last place Tony Pulis would want to bring his side as they look to get off the mark.
Successive 2-1 defeats to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham have left the Potters stuck on zero this season, and now the head to west London on the back of two defeats last season (one in the FA Cup) where they shipped nine goals without scoring.
Pulis has worked hard to reinforce his attacking options over the summer, with the expensive acquisitions of Jon Walters and Kenwyne Jones, but that is likely to be of little aid at Stamford Bridge.
The former Gillingham manager will likely set out his side's stall to defend, and hope they can hold on for as long as possible against a force that is quickly beginning to look irresistible.
Chelsea
After a full week of training new signing Ramires might be ready to be included in his first matchday squad, although he is unlikely to start.
Jose Bosingwa remains the club's sole long-term injury concern, with Ancelotti free to choose from the rest of his options. Some mild rotation — perhaps seeing Kalou start — may be the Italian's only deviation from the norm.
Possible Starting XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Essien, Lampard; Malouda, Kalou, Drogba.
Stoke City
Recent signings Jon Walters and Kenwyne Jones are both available, although Pulis might be more relieved to know that he has a full compliment of defenders to choose from.
Asmir Begovic's current dispute with the club is unlikely to lift him from the substitutes' bench, while Mamady Sidibe is a long-term concern.
Possible Starting XI: Sorensen; Collins, Huth, Shawcross, Higginbotham; Etherington, Whitehead, Wheland, Delap, Walters; Jones.
Looking for another home run
After two 6-0 wins to start the season, how about a third for Chelsea? It's certainly not out of the question for the Premier League champions, especially as they romped to a 7-0 hammering last time they played host to Saturday's visitors, Stoke City.
On that occasion it was Salomon Kalou that was the hero, with a hat-trick that was nicely complimented by a brace from Frank Lampard and one apiece for Florent Malouda and Daniel Sturridge.
There is little to suggest similar proficiency in front of goal couldn't be the order of the day again on Saturday. Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba have already accounted for eight of the 12 league goals the Blues have notched so far this season, and all are likely to be deployed at the weekend.
Indeed, perhaps the only choice Ancelotti has to face is whether he rotates his starting eleven ahead of challenges to come. The likes of Kalou, Ferreira and even new signing Ramires could all be slotted into the lineup to rest other first-choice performers, but will the former AC Milan manager want to risk a change to the chemistry that has delivered such an impressive start to the campaign?
Once more into the breach
After a slow start to the season, Stamford Bridge is perhaps the absolute last place Tony Pulis would want to bring his side as they look to get off the mark.
Successive 2-1 defeats to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham have left the Potters stuck on zero this season, and now the head to west London on the back of two defeats last season (one in the FA Cup) where they shipped nine goals without scoring.
Pulis has worked hard to reinforce his attacking options over the summer, with the expensive acquisitions of Jon Walters and Kenwyne Jones, but that is likely to be of little aid at Stamford Bridge.
The former Gillingham manager will likely set out his side's stall to defend, and hope they can hold on for as long as possible against a force that is quickly beginning to look irresistible.
Chelsea
After a full week of training new signing Ramires might be ready to be included in his first matchday squad, although he is unlikely to start.Jose Bosingwa remains the club's sole long-term injury concern, with Ancelotti free to choose from the rest of his options. Some mild rotation — perhaps seeing Kalou start — may be the Italian's only deviation from the norm.
Possible Starting XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Essien, Lampard; Malouda, Kalou, Drogba.
Stoke City
Recent signings Jon Walters and Kenwyne Jones are both available, although Pulis might be more relieved to know that he has a full compliment of defenders to choose from.Asmir Begovic's current dispute with the club is unlikely to lift him from the substitutes' bench, while Mamady Sidibe is a long-term concern.
Possible Starting XI: Sorensen; Collins, Huth, Shawcross, Higginbotham; Etherington, Whitehead, Wheland, Delap, Walters; Jones.
Think you can predict the week's results?
Test your knowledge at Soccer Millionaire for your chance to win £10,000,000!!
Test your knowledge at Soccer Millionaire for your chance to win £10,000,000!!
Our 
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Chelsea FC 6-0 Stoke City
- 24.58 %
-
Chelsea FC 4-0 Stoke City
- 15.49 %
-
Chelsea FC 3-0 Stoke City
- 12.2 %
| Premier League (EPL) | 12 Jan 2013 | Stoke City 0 - Chelsea FC 4 |
|
| Premier League (EPL) | 22 Sep 2012 | Chelsea FC 1 - Stoke City 0 |
|
| Premier League (EPL) | 10 Mar 2012 | Chelsea FC 1 - Stoke City 0 |
|
| Premier League (EPL) | 14 Aug 2011 | Stoke City 0 - Chelsea FC 0 |
|
| Premier League (EPL) | 2 Apr 2011 | Stoke City 1 - Chelsea FC 1 |
|
Chelsea FC
   |
||
| 19 May 2013 | Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1 | EPL |
| 15 May 2013 | Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2 | EL |
| 11 May 2013 | Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2 | EPL |
| 8 May 2013 | Chelsea FC 2 - Tottenham 2 | EPL |
| 5 May 2013 | Manchester United 0 - Chelsea FC 1 | EPL |
Stoke City
 |
||
| 19 May 2013 | Southampton 1 - Stoke City 1 | EPL |
| 12 May 2013 | Stoke City 1 - Tottenham 2 | EPL |
| 6 May 2013 | Sunderland 1 - Stoke City 1 | EPL |
| 27 Apr 2013 | Stoke City 1 - Norwich City 0 | EPL |
| 20 Apr 2013 | QPR 0 - Stoke City 2 | EPL |
| Returns: | Chelsea £11.20 |
|
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! | |
| Returns: | Draw £70.00 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 | |
| Returns: | Stoke City £190.00 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
| 1 | Petr Cech | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Ashley Cole | Defender |
| 33 | Alex | Defender |
| 26 | John Terry | Defender |
| 19 | Paulo Ferreira | Defender |
| 12 | John Obi Mikel | Midfielder |
| 5 | Michael Essien | Midfielder |
| 8 | Frank Lampard | Midfielder |
| 12 | Didier Drogba | Striker |
| 21 | Nicolas Anelka | Striker |
| 15 | Florent Malouda | Midfielder |
| 22 | Ross Turnbull | Goalkeeper |
| 52 | Patrick van Aanholt | Defender |
| 18 | Yuri Zhirkov | Midfielder |
| 21 | Salomon Kalou | Striker |
| 7 | Ramires | Midfielder |
| 10 | Yossi Benayoun | Midfielder |
| 15 | Daniel Sturridge | Striker |
| 29 | Thomas Sørensen | Goalkeeper |
| 4 | Robert Huth | Defender |
| 17 | Ryan Shawcross | Defender |
| 25 | Abdoulaye Faye | Defender |
| 5 | Danny Collins | Defender |
| 24 | Rory Delap | Midfielder |
| 18 | Dean Whitehead | Midfielder |
| 28 | Andy Wilkinson | Defender |
| 26 | Matthew Etherington | Midfielder |
| 19 | Jonathan Walters | Striker |
| 9 | Kenwyne Jones | Striker |
| 1 | Asmir Begovic | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Danny Higginbotham | Defender |
| 20 | Tuncay Şanlı | Striker |
| 6 | Glenn Whelan | Midfielder |
| 23 | Michael Tonge | Midfielder |
| 10 | Ricardo Fuller | Striker |
| 14 | Danny Pugh | Midfielder |
| Florent Malouda | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 15 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All eleven of Chelsea's players could reasonably fill this spot (perhaps with the exception of Petr Cech) but perhaps Florent Malouda will be singled out for special attention by Tony Pulis.
The Frenchman has often been at the heart of the Blues' most impressive performances over the past year, and will once again look to cause havoc in the opposition box. If he fails, well, there's always Didier Drogba...
The Frenchman has often been at the heart of the Blues' most impressive performances over the past year, and will once again look to cause havoc in the opposition box. If he fails, well, there's always Didier Drogba...
| Thomas Sørensen | |
| Position: | Goalkeeper |
| Squad Number: | 29 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Thomas Sorensen will no doubt go into the game expecting to be worked hard. The last 'keeper to visit the Bridge, Scott Carson, gifted the Blues their first goal, and Sorensen will want to ensure he doesn't befall the same fate.
With backup Begovic currently at odds with the club, Pulis will want to see he doesn't need to be considered about his first-choice glovesman, too.
With backup Begovic currently at odds with the club, Pulis will want to see he doesn't need to be considered about his first-choice glovesman, too.
1 
3 
33 
26 
19 
12 
5 
8 
12 
21 
15 
29 
4 
17 
25 
5 
24 
18 
28 
26 
19 
9 
Results
Times In BST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Manchester United |
26 | 3 |
|
Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
