Prediction: Chelsea vs Stoke

21st September 2012

Chelsea players can be forgiven for feeling a bit down after squandering a two-goal lead against Juventus at the start of their Champions League campaign, but with games coming thick and fast the Blues have no time to feel sorry for themselves. Roberto Di Matteo’s side play host to Stoke, a team that have yet to lose a Premier League game this season, so the odds are we are going to see an interesting game at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were always going to experience some problems this term following a complete squad overhaul in the summer, but the Blues enjoyed a bright start to the new season against all odds. Nobody was too worried by the Community Shield defeat after they won first three Premier League games, but then came the 4-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup match, which clearly had a major effect on the players’ confidence. The Blues have been unable to return to winning ways ever since, but goalless draw against significantly reinforced QPR and 2-2 stalemate with Serie A champions can hardly be considered poor results. Chelsea looked a good value for money after Oscar gifted them a two-goal lead, but they couldn’t hold on to the advantage and had to settle for one point. Even if less than 72 hours will have passed before they face Stoke, Roberto Di Matteo is unlikely to make wholesale changes as he will be able to do so in the League Cup clash with Wolverhampton next Tuesday. Two-goal hero Oscar is likely to start despite struggling with an ankle problem, but Daniel Sturridge and Marko Marin are definitely out.

It’s been a while since Stoke chiefs last splashed more than €15 million on new players, so to have done so in the summer transfer window is a real testament of their ambition. Jamie Ness, Michael Kightly, Geoff Cameron, Charlie Adam, Steven N’Zonzi and Michael Owen all arrived to improve the quality of the squad, but the style of play has stayed exactly the same. Stoke remain a tough nut to crack as witnessed by four straight draws at the start of the Premier League campaign, and it’s perfectly clear Chelsea will have to play a very good game if they are to take all three points here. Arsenal and City both failed to win at Britannia Stadium, while Potters avoided defeat at Madejski and DW Stadium, meaning they have reason for optimism before the clash at Stamford Bridge. Ryan Shotton is likely to come in for Andy Wilkinson, who’s been slapped with a three-match ban for elbowing Mario Balotelli, but Jamie Ness could return.

Conclusion

It will be hard for Chelsea to give their best against Stoke less than three days after the demanding match with Serie A champions Juventus, so the best they can do is record a narrow win here. Stoke will give their best to continue their unbeaten run, which makes under 2.5 goals a good bet here.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: 888sport