4-2-3-1 vs Stoke: Strongest Chelsea lineup after 4 injuries, £22m star to be dropped - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Chelsea vs Stoke
English Premier League
5th March 2016
Kick off: 15:00 pm BST
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Live Stream: Watch Chelsea vs Stoke live online
Chelsea take on Stoke City in the Premier League this weekend and the Blues will look to build on their recent run of good form with a win against Mark Hughes’ side.
Stoke City have already beaten Chelsea twice this season when Jose Mourinho was in charge and the home side will be desperate to avenge that. Chelsea are a very different side to the one that lost against Stoke earlier this season.
Under Hiddink, the Blues are a lot sharper and confident and will be quite a threat for Stoke City.
Stoke City will be delighted with their upturn in form after a midseason slump. Hughes’ side have won their last three Premier League games in a row and will be looking to continue their good record against the Blues this week.
Team News
Chelsea captain John Terry is recovering well and but is expected to miss out against Stoke.
Nemanja Matic should start alongside Cesc Fabregas at the heart of the midfield. Brazilian winger Kenedy was excellent at left back against Norwich and is expected to continue there.
Baba Rahman failed to impress against Southampton and is likely to be dropped again.
The only major injury concerns for Hiddink are Falcao, Zouma and Pedro.
As for Stoke City, the visitors will be without their first choice defenders Glen Johnson and Ryan Shawcross.
Bojan should be able to start against Chelsea, but Charlie Adam will miss the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Starting Lineups
Chelsea starting lineup: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Kenedy; Fabregas, Matic; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; Costa
Stoke City starting lineup: Butland; Bardsley, Cameron, Wollscheid, Pieters; Imbula, Whelan; Shaqiri, Afellay, Arnautovic; Bojan
Key Stats
Chelsea have won their last 9 home matches against Stoke in all competitions.
Chelsea are undefeated in their last 12 matches (Premier League).
Stoke have won their last 3 matches (Premier League).
From Soccerlens.com - Football News
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