After three successive defeats, Stoke's luck is starting to turn. They have collected four points in their last matches; their win came against none other than the team of one of their harshest critics, Arsene Wenger. Wenger has bemoaned Stoke's physical treatment of Arsenal. His players, however, were asleep in the first half in this meeting. Stoke put three past Arsenal before Arsenal had a chance to blink. Arsenal came to within one goal of taking a point but Stoke held on. Stoke were perhaps a bit unlucky to not be rewarded a fourth goal after Bojan Krkic's strike was disallowed. The result against Arsenal was followed by a draw against Crystal Palace.
Chelsea meanwhile allowed Manchester City to move closer to them in the table after a loss to Newcastle United. They lost 2-1 against a side down to ten men. Newcastle has since then gone on to be hammered by Arsenal and Tottenham. They went down to Sunderland this weekend. Jose Mourinho did not blame his players for the defeat. His players perhaps should have taken advantage of an opposition containing ten men though. The Blues did manage to beat an opposition consisting of ten men though in the past week. The fringe players played a big part as they beat Derby County, 0-1 in the League Cup.
The home side has many injury headaches. Peter Odemwingie is out as is Victor Moses, Steve Sidwell and Marc Muniesa. Bojan Krkic is doubtful; he was forced to go off against Palace. An injury to Bojan would be a heavy blow to Mark Hughes and his men. His magic drives the team forward at times. Stephen Ireland is also doubtful for this one. For Chelsea, Nathan Ake and Kurt Zouma are not available. Didier Drogba might be unavailable as well. Thibaut Courtois is ready to return in goal.
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Stoke City vs Chelsea team sheets
Stoke City's lineup: Begovic; Bardsley, Shawcross (c), Muniesa, Pieters; Cameron, Nzonzi; Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic; Crouch.
Chelsea's lineup: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa.
Stoke City's subs: Butland, Huth, Whelan, Wilson, Adam, Diouf, Assaidi.
Chelsea's subs: Cech, Filipe Luis, Zouma, Ake, Oscar, Schurrle, Drogba.
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