Stoke City will play host to Chelsea in this weekend’s Premier League clash at the Bet365 Stadium. The Potters have made a slow start to the campaign with just five points from their opening games. Despite this, Mark Hughes will be pleased by the home form having secured a win and draw over Arsenal and Manchester United respectively this season. Chelsea secured a double over the Potters in their title-winning campaign last term, but they will still have to play with caution with the likes of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Jese Rodriguez capable of pulling off surprises up front.
Players to watch for:
Eden Hazard – Chelsea:
The Belgium international has been restricted to just two league appearances from the bench following his ankle injury earlier in the summer. Hazard played the full 90 minutes against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup and he looks set to make his first league start of the campaign. Hazard is capable of producing moments of magic from the left side of the attack, and his movement could be key towards unlocking a Stoke defence which is normally solid at home.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – Stoke City:
The former Schalke forward has proved a huge hit in a short space of time after he notching an impressive brace in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United. Choupo-Moting did miss a glorious chance in the defeat to Newcastle United last week, but the Cameroon international will get plenty more opportunities to score as the season goes on. The attacker is also a threat from set-pieces after carving out a brilliant header past David de Gea earlier this month.
Prediction:
Chelsea have remained unbeaten since the opening day 3-2 loss to Burnley. Antonio Conte’s side had to settle for a 0-0 Premier League draw against Arsenal last weekend, but they will be expected to provide a much better performance in Staffordshire.
Stoke City 1-2 Chelsea
Image – Creative Commons
