Chelsea vs Stoke Preview, Team News, Line-Ups, Betting Tips & Predicted Score

Chelsea will be looking to cement their position at the top of the Premier League table when they entertain Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Eve.

The Blues maintained their six point lead over second-placed Liverpool after easing to their 12th consecutive victory with a 3-0 win over AFC Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

With Liverpool taking on third-placed Manchester City on Saturday evening, Antonio Conte will no doubt be desperate to take advantage of their nearest rivals playing each other by securing a record-equalling thirteenth win in a row.

Stoke arrive in West London off the back of a 4-1 defeat at Anfield on Tuesday night and Mark Hughes will be keen to pick up a positive result against his former side having not won a league game in almost a month.

Team news

Chelsea welcome Diego Costa back from suspension after he served a one-game ban having picked up his fifth booking of the season and the Spanish international is expected to be restored up front.

N’Golo Kante is also set for a recall after serving a one-match ban with Cesc Fabregas the man most likely to make way in the middle of the park.

Pedro will miss the game after collecting his fifth booking of the season last time out while Conte must decide whether to risk David Luiz or Nemanja Matic as a booking for either player would see them miss the trip Tottenham on January 4th.

John Terry has been training all week after recovering from a buttock injury but the centre-back isn’t expected to be recalled to the squad just yet.

Stoke welcome Phil Bardsley back in to the squad after he recovered from a knee injury but Marc Muniesa, Geoff Cameron and Jack Butland remain sidelined while Marko Arnoutovic is suspended.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Chelsea 2-0 Stoke: The Blues are on a sensational run right now and it’s difficult to see anyone stopping them, never mind Stoke. Conte seems to have really found a winning formula and the return of Costa and Kante should see them ease to another comfortable win.

Betting Tips

Chelsea are the 2/7 favourites to win the game but we can get you enhanced odds of 4/1 on the Blues winning – just click here to take advantage of these crazy odds. Here are some other bets I like the look of:

• Both teams to score NO at 19/20 – a £10 bet returns £17.50
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