Preview: Stoke vs Chelsea

The Don at today's press conference

Thirty points may separate these two sides, but expect Saturday’s game at The Britannia Bet365iseum to trouble the league leaders more than that gap would intimate. Chelsea have won just two of their last seven games away at Stoke City, losing both their league and League Cup match there just weeks apart last season.

Although future England number one, Jack Butland, has returned to training it is unlikely he will be fit this weekend to face Chelsea. But even without one of the league's standout goalkeepers, Stoke's defence have been exceptional as of last keeping a clean sheet in three of their last four league games. Although their 4-0 loss in 45 minutes at White Hart Lane did fall in that run.

Stoke are currently on their longest unbeaten run at home in 5 years. They have lost none of their last 8 Premier League matches at home -- winning 4 and drawing 4. Their last impressive run of form (17 games unbeaten) was ceremoniously ended by a plucky little side from London. Although credit where credit is due - 3 of Chelsea's 4 goals in that game were courtesy of one Jonathan Walters.

Speaking to Stoke City’s in-house TV channel, manager Mark Hughes gave his thoughts on what to expect from this game. “[Chelsea] are the most consistent team. They have a way of playing that’s quite difficult to go up against. If you try and stop one area of their progression they open up other areas on the pitch and are able to attack in a different way.”

Hughes went on to say there would be some changes in the team that kept a clean sheet and won a point at The Etihad because Manchester City play differently than Chelsea - and Marko Arnautovic was out ill. With Chelsea conceding their fair share of headers as of late - expect Hughes to go big. Robocrouch big.

Predicted Stoke XI: Lee Grant, Erik Pieters, Bruno Martins Indi, Ryan Shawcross, Phil Bardsley, Glenn Whelan, Geoff Cameron, Ramadan Sobhi, Joe Allen, Marko Arnautovic, Peter Crouch

What's their to say about those little West London rascals? Since unceremoniously exiting the League Cup I didn't want to win it anyways, Chelsea have lost ONE game. That's 19 wins and 2 draws for you number perverts. However, the last five occasions Chelsea have failed to take all the points (progress to the next round for Cup pedants) it has been away from Stamford Bridge. So any potential banana skin territory to upset Antonio Conte's English title triumph would be on the road.

Antonio Conte once again re-iterated taking each game as it comes rather than looking to the end of season league table. In today's pre-match press conference he said: "It is important to beat Stoke, it won’t be easy. They are a strong team, physical but with good, technical players. We must pay great attention and be focused. We need 24 points to win and it’s important to go game by game and not look forward.”

While he was reluctant to reveal any team news to inquiring journalists, he did concede that a decision needs to be made ahead of tomorrow's match on Victor Moses' fitness. He picked up a calf strain in the foul fest that was Monday's FA Cup match against Jose Mourinho's Manchester United. Conte may also start Nemanja Matic ahead of Cesc Fàbregas to keep things on the level or on the vertical. However you want to look at it.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Thibaut Courtois, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, N’Golo Kanté, Nemanja Matic, Pedro, Eden Hazard, Willian, Diego Costa

Of note - should Diego Costa score against Stoke, it will be his 50th goal in the Premier League. Here's to hoping Ryan Shawcross has a special cologne at the ready.

Score Prediction: Stoke 0-1 Chelsea

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