Chelsea
Chelsea vs Stoke Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man + Predicted Score
Chelsea play host to Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Here’s a preview with team news and prediction.
Chelsea play host to Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon in what is the only all-Premier League tie in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Blues eased into this stage of the competition with a 2-0 win over Derby County but should faces a much sterner test against Stoke this weekend.
The win at Pride Park was the latest in what’s been an impressive run for the west Londoners that’s seen them win all six of their previous games, including a 3-1 win over Premier League champions Manchester United last weekend.
Jose Mourinho will be looking to add to the solitary FA Cup he won back in 2007 during his first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge, but he will be facing an old Chelsea favourite in Mark Hughes tomorrow.
He bring his Potters side to the capital looking to put their relegation worries to one side and seek a morale-boosting cup run. Leicester City pushed them all the way in the previous round but they have since lost their last two league games to leave them sitting 14th in the table and just five points off the drop zone.
Team News
Mourinho is expected to shuffle his pack with Wednesday’s clash with West Ham at the back of his mind.
Fernando Torres has been ruled out for up to a month with a knee injury so Samuel Eto’ – who hit a hat-trick last week – is expected to be rested with Demba Ba given a rare start up front.
One man who won’t be in contention is Juan Mata after Chelsea agreed to sell him to rivals Manchester United, while the Spaniard’s replacement, Mohamed Salah, won’t be registered in time to feature.
Nemanja Matic should make his full debut having come off the bench against United and Frank Lampard is expected to be recalled. Andre Schurrle wasn’t in the squad last weekend so could be involved tomorrow.
Stoke have been boosted by the return of Asmir Begovic who trained this week after recovering from a broken finger and is expected to come straight back in to the starting line-up.
Hughes is unlikely to recall Kenwyne Jones after he refused to play against Liverpool two weeks ago which saw him dropped form the squad to face Crystal Palace.
John Guidetti could feature after coming off the bench last week.
Likely Line-Ups
Key Man
Eden Hazard: The Belgian has been in scintillating form this season and will certainly be the main threat to the Stoke back-line if he starts this match.
Predicted Score
Chelsea 2-0 Stoke: The Blues are in great form and we can’t see past a home win here.
What team would you start and what’s your predicted score? Share your views below.
Jeancy Liene
January 25, 2014 at 8:03 pm
it’s always difficult to predict the exactly starting Xl under mourinho, as he promised to start a strong team against stoke , but I should select cech,ivanovic,azp,cahill,luiz,matic, ramires,oscar, hazard, willian,ba: chelsea 3-0 stoke
onyeka sador
January 25, 2014 at 9:01 pm
shwazer, azi,iva,luiz,col,matic,mikel,rami,osca,shure,ba
Karakuta tsaragi
January 25, 2014 at 9:04 pm
Chelsea go win stoke city by 2morrow
Abel shafu
January 25, 2014 at 10:11 pm
Chelsea2 stok0! Whatever line up!
Friday Sunday
January 25, 2014 at 10:25 pm
What ever line up chelsea ‘ll win by 3-0
Don opima
January 25, 2014 at 10:48 pm
I no whatever the case may be chelsea will win stoke city may be just 4 to1 nw
lansah mohammed
January 25, 2014 at 10:51 pm
chelsea 3 stoke 1 but i’m especting one own goal or red card in the match
Buba darboe
January 25, 2014 at 11:31 pm
Am expecting a strong line up from the happy one shwazer iva cahill luiz cole matic lampard oscar shurr willian and ba
afili boy
January 26, 2014 at 5:46 am
I’m missing my Mata so I dnt hv any tin 2 say about 2day match
akerele akin
January 26, 2014 at 6:09 am
Mata’s sale is still a pain in me ass…having sleepless night..OMG
samuel
January 26, 2014 at 6:41 am
chelsea3 vs stoke city0
samuel
January 26, 2014 at 6:45 am
Chealsea will beat stoke cite 3-0 up blues!!!
Don opima
January 26, 2014 at 2:20 pm
Today chelsea we face stoke city so no matter the case may be chelsea will win this match but i predict may be 3 to 1 nw chelsea we win