Played
August 14, 2011 1:30 PM BST
Britannia Stadium — Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Referee: M. Halsey
Attendance: 27421
August 14, 2011 1:30 PM BST
Britannia Stadium — Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Referee: M. Halsey
Attendance: 27421
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| Stoke City | 0.00 | 71.00 | 4.20 | 4.00 | 18.00 | 4.15 |
| Draw | 0.00 | 1.00 | 3.50 | 3.35 | 1.10 | 3.40 |
| Chelsea | 0.00 | 61.00 | 1.91 | 1.90 | 7.50 | 2.00 |
Stoke City – Chelsea Preview: Andre Villas-Boas starts his Premier League career against side who have only picked up one point from possible 18 against the Blues since 2008
The Portuguese boss takes his team to the Britannia with doubts over the fitness of Fernando Torres and without the suspended Daniel Sturridge, as Tony Pulis has defensive dilemma
By Nick Price
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PROBABLE LINEUPS |
| Stoke City (4-4-2): Begovic; Huth, Woodgate, Shawcross, Wilson; Pennant, Delap, Whelan, Etherington; Walters, Jones |
| Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, David Luiz, Cole; Ramires, Lampard, Mikel; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda |
Jonathan Woodgate is likely to get the nod at the back after forming an effective partnership with Ryan Shawcross in the recent Europa League second-leg win over Hajduk Split, meaning that last year's club player of the season Robert Huth is likely to revert back to a less natural right-back position. There is the possibility that fellow new signing Matthew Upson could start at left-back ahead of Marc Wilson, or that Tony Pulis could opt for a five-man defence (sacrificing one of the strikers) with the Irishman or right-back Andy Wilkinson filling in down either flank. Regardless, expect to see Stoke play with the onus on the wingers to create opportunities for the forwards.
For Andre Villas-Boas, Fernando Torres is a doubt with a head knock and it is unlikely that he will be risked against opponents who hold nothing back in the tackle and in the air, so Didier Drogba is likely to figure from the off. Chelsea are without Daniel Sturridge, who is serving a suspension after a red card in his final game for Bolton on loan last season, meaning that both Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou are likely to figure at some point.
Branislav Ivanovic is a slight risk at the back with a thigh strain, but if deemed fit, the no-nonsense Serb is likely to figure to help John Terry and David Luiz (who is likely to start despite a knee injury) in the aerial duels in front of goal. Ramires should participate despite his Copa America exploits.
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DID YOU KNOW? |
- Of the top four teams, only Manchester United were able to come away from Stoke with three points last season, with Manchester City held in November and Arsenal beaten 3-1 by the Potters on home turf in May.
- The last meeting between the two sides ended 1-1, with Jonathan Walters (pictured right) scoring an equaliser after dribbling from the halfway line before slotting home at the near post.
- The next two teams to visit the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League are Liverpool and Manchester United.
- Despite being in Europe this season (for the first time in over 30 years), Stoke have not spent on new players this summer. Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson are the only arrivals thus far after joining on free transfers.
- Stoke were only beaten five times at home last season.
- Chelsea recorded the Premier League's biggest away win last season when they thrashed Wigan 6-0 at the DW Stadium in August.
- This will be Andre Villas-Boas' first competitive game as a manager in English football and he will be looking to continue his unbeaten league run that stretches over 30 games after a stunning undefeated domestic season in charge of Porto.
- In the six league games between the two clubs since Stoke were promoted in 2008, the Blues are unbeaten, winning five games and putting 15 goals past Sunday's opponents.
- In the 74 league games between the two sides, Chelsea have won 35, Stoke 22, and there have been 17 draws.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Stoke City 0-3 Chelsea FC
- 26.21 %
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Stoke City 0-2 Chelsea FC
- 18.36 %
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Stoke City 1-3 Chelsea FC
- 12.31 %
| Premier League (EPL) | 12 Jan 2013 | Stoke City 0 - Chelsea FC 4 |
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| Premier League (EPL) | 22 Sep 2012 | Chelsea FC 1 - Stoke City 0 |
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| Premier League (EPL) | 10 Mar 2012 | Chelsea FC 1 - Stoke City 0 |
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| Premier League (EPL) | 14 Aug 2011 | Stoke City 0 - Chelsea FC 0 |
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| Premier League (EPL) | 2 Apr 2011 | Stoke City 1 - Chelsea FC 1 |
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Stoke City
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| 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 |
Chelsea FC
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| 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 |
| Returns: | Stoke City £710.00 |
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Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 | |
| Returns: | Draw £35.00 |
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Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 | |
| Returns: | Chelsea £610.00 |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
| 1 | Asmir Begovic | Goalkeeper |
| 4 | Robert Huth | Defender |
| 17 | Ryan Shawcross | Defender |
| 8 | Jonathan Woodgate | Defender |
| 12 | Marc Wilson | Defender |
| 7 | Jermaine Pennant | Midfielder |
| 24 | Rory Delap | Midfielder |
| 6 | Glenn Whelan | Midfielder |
| 26 | Matthew Etherington | Midfielder |
| 19 | Jonathan Walters | Striker |
| 9 | Kenwyne Jones | Striker |
| 29 | Thomas Sørensen | Goalkeeper |
| 5 | Danny Collins | Defender |
| 28 | Andy Wilkinson | Defender |
| 30 | Ryan Shotton | Defender |
| 14 | Danny Pugh | Midfielder |
| 15 | Salif Diao | Defender |
| 18 | Dean Whitehead | Midfielder |
| 1 | Petr Cech | Goalkeeper |
| 19 | José Bosingwa | Defender |
| 33 | Alex | Defender |
| 26 | John Terry | Defender |
| 3 | Ashley Cole | Defender |
| 7 | Ramires | Midfielder |
| 12 | John Obi Mikel | Midfielder |
| 8 | Frank Lampard | Midfielder |
| 15 | Florent Malouda | Midfielder |
| 21 | Salomon Kalou | Striker |
| 9 | Fernando Torres | Striker |
| 40 | Henrique Hilário | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Branislav Ivanovic | Defender |
| 19 | Paulo Ferreira | Defender |
| 10 | Yossi Benayoun | Midfielder |
| 51 | Josh McEachran | Midfielder |
| 12 | Didier Drogba | Striker |
| 21 | Nicolas Anelka | Striker |
| Robert Huth | |
| Position: | Defender |
| Squad Number: | 4 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
The big German faces off against the club where he made his name in England. Former Blues boss Jose Mourinho often used to throw the centre-half on as a late substitute to go up in attack when his side were chasing games, and he is very much an offensive weapon for Stoke, for whom he scored nine goals last season.
But if the hosts are to hold on for a point or more, they will be reliant upon the defender to be as effective in his own area as he is in Chelsea's. The 26-year-old swept the club's player of the year awards last year for his committed displays, and whether he plays at right- or centre-back, he will be expected to lead the line by example.
But if the hosts are to hold on for a point or more, they will be reliant upon the defender to be as effective in his own area as he is in Chelsea's. The 26-year-old swept the club's player of the year awards last year for his committed displays, and whether he plays at right- or centre-back, he will be expected to lead the line by example.
| Didier Drogba | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 12 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
With Torres a doubt and Romelu Lukaku yet to work with his new club, the Ivorian will almost certainly be the man expected to lead the line for Chelsea.
This used to be the sort of game that the 33-year-old would relish, but a mixed last season – in which he was afflicted with malaria – cast doubt as to whether the former Marseille man could bully defenders as he used to, and even had the powerful target man linked with a move away from Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge stalwart is not the sort to ever shirk away from a challenge, and he will look forward the chance to test himself against one of the most physical sides in Europe and show Villas-Boas that he still deserves to be considered a viable first-team option this season.
This used to be the sort of game that the 33-year-old would relish, but a mixed last season – in which he was afflicted with malaria – cast doubt as to whether the former Marseille man could bully defenders as he used to, and even had the powerful target man linked with a move away from Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge stalwart is not the sort to ever shirk away from a challenge, and he will look forward the chance to test himself against one of the most physical sides in Europe and show Villas-Boas that he still deserves to be considered a viable first-team option this season.
Though the gauntlet of the Britannia Stadium has been somewhat overstated in recent months (Stoke have been defeated by the likes of Blackpool and Wigan since January), it is still a place that Villas-Boas will perhaps have wanted to avoid for his team's opening game of the season.
Stoke should also have the edge in terms of fitness having played in two Europa League fixtures and in Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant, they have players that can spring a surprise with a trick or a perfect delivery for the two giant forwards.
However, the hosts' collective brawn and individual attacking options will come as no surprise to a manager as meticulous as Villas-Boas and they are likely to be better equipped than most at dealing with the aerial threat Stoke pose. With several senior stars having plenty to prove, expect Chelsea to push their way over the line and start the season with a big three points.
Stoke should also have the edge in terms of fitness having played in two Europa League fixtures and in Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant, they have players that can spring a surprise with a trick or a perfect delivery for the two giant forwards.
However, the hosts' collective brawn and individual attacking options will come as no surprise to a manager as meticulous as Villas-Boas and they are likely to be better equipped than most at dealing with the aerial threat Stoke pose. With several senior stars having plenty to prove, expect Chelsea to push their way over the line and start the season with a big three points.
Results
Times In BST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Robin van Persie Striker Manchester United |
26 | 3 |
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Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
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Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
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C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
