K/O time: 13.30
Venue: Britannia Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Last Result: Stoke 1 (Walters 8) Chelsea 1 (Drogba 33)
Saturday 2nd April 2011
Britannia Stadium
Stoke Absences: Rory Delap (Out, Hamstring), Ricardo Fuller (Out, Achilles), Mamaby Sidibe (Out, Achilles) Jon Walters (Doubtful, Unspecified), Marc Wilson (Doubtful, Unspecified)
Chelsea Absences: Michael Essien (Out, Knee), Branislav Ivanovic (Out, Thigh), Fernando Torres (Doubtful, Concussion) John Obi Mikel (Doubtful, Ankle), Daniel Sturridge (Suspended)
My Chelsea Line Up for the Match:
Prediction: Stoke aren't easy opposition for the first game of the season, but they can be contained fairly easily. With them being a poor passing team, they will be looking to play directly with the long ball to Jones and Walters being favoured, but Terry and Alex should handle that if they are to start. Chelsea have been weak at defending set pieces in the last few seasons on occasions, and Stoke will look to target that weakness, but without Rory Delap's long throws, they lack as much threat from corners and free kicks. Chelsea have looked dangerous in pre-season, and the physicality of Stoke's defence that was good last season can be matched by our usual starting 3 up front, which should allow scoring chances. My prediction, 2-0 to Chelsea
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