Venue: Stoke City - The Brittania Stadium
Competition: Barclays Premier League
When: 12/8/2011, kickoff 13:30
Stoke City Team News:
City's tricky wingers Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant mean that Rory Delap's long throws are no longer the lone weapon in the Potters' armoury. Stoke are difficult to tackle at the best of times, and at the Britannia Stadium, with their fervent supporters empowering them, they are capable of beating anybody.
Pulis has again been shrewd in this summer's transfer market, signing experienced defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson. These acquisitions highlight the development of the squad over the last few years as they look to build on last year's 13th place in the table. Pulis is actively trying to bring in more players before the window closes, having missed out on the likes of Carlton Cole, Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome.
Ricardo Fuller (Achilles) and Danny Higginbotham (knee) are both out injured and are not expected back until the end of Septmber. rows are no longer the lone weapon in the Potters' armoury.
Chelsea Team News:
Villas-Boas will be keen for a good start to the season in a bid to quell any doubts about his suitability for the job. At 33, he is the youngest manager in the league, and nothing other than the Premier League title or UEFA Champions League glory will assuage Roman Abramovich's **** for trophies.
The expected splurge of summer signings that many thought would accompany his arrival at Stamford Bridge has not materialised. Barcelona rookie Oriol Romeu has been signed as cover for Michael Essien, who has again injured cruciate knee ligaments, casting long-term doubts over his fitness. A £20million deal for Anderlecht's Romelu Lukaku is in the pipeline, but the young Portuguese manager still has one of the most experienced squads in Europe at his disposal.
Fernando Torres and Frank Lampard are both available dispite suffering knocks midweek.
Match Stats and Milestones:
Games played 85
Chelsea wins 38
Stoke wins 27
Draws 20
Head to head in the League at Victoria Ground and Britannia Stadium
Games played 37
Chelsea wins15
Stoke wins15
Draws7
Biggest league win at Stoke for each team
Stoke 6-1 Chelsea - 04/02/1939, 15/02/1947
Stoke 0-3 Chelsea - 03/12/1988
DAYS SINCE:
Chelsea lost a league game against Stoke: 13,279
Stoke last lost at home: 83
Arsenal won a trophy: 2,275
Liverpool won a trophy: 1,918
My view:
As we all know Stoke are a tough team to play but i believe Chelsea are well equipped to deal with Stokes physical presence. Im going to predict a 2-1 win for Chelsea with goals comming from Drogba and Malouda and Stokes goalscorer being Pennant.
Competition: Barclays Premier League
When: 12/8/2011, kickoff 13:30
Stoke City Team News:
City's tricky wingers Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant mean that Rory Delap's long throws are no longer the lone weapon in the Potters' armoury. Stoke are difficult to tackle at the best of times, and at the Britannia Stadium, with their fervent supporters empowering them, they are capable of beating anybody.
Pulis has again been shrewd in this summer's transfer market, signing experienced defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson. These acquisitions highlight the development of the squad over the last few years as they look to build on last year's 13th place in the table. Pulis is actively trying to bring in more players before the window closes, having missed out on the likes of Carlton Cole, Scott Dann and Cameron Jerome.
Ricardo Fuller (Achilles) and Danny Higginbotham (knee) are both out injured and are not expected back until the end of Septmber. rows are no longer the lone weapon in the Potters' armoury.
Chelsea Team News:
Villas-Boas will be keen for a good start to the season in a bid to quell any doubts about his suitability for the job. At 33, he is the youngest manager in the league, and nothing other than the Premier League title or UEFA Champions League glory will assuage Roman Abramovich's **** for trophies.
The expected splurge of summer signings that many thought would accompany his arrival at Stamford Bridge has not materialised. Barcelona rookie Oriol Romeu has been signed as cover for Michael Essien, who has again injured cruciate knee ligaments, casting long-term doubts over his fitness. A £20million deal for Anderlecht's Romelu Lukaku is in the pipeline, but the young Portuguese manager still has one of the most experienced squads in Europe at his disposal.
Fernando Torres and Frank Lampard are both available dispite suffering knocks midweek.
Match Stats and Milestones:
- Stoke began last season with three straight league defeats, one of which was against Chelsea.
- The Potters finished 13th last season but would have finished eighth if only home form counted.
- Stoke's average possession per game in 2010-11 was 38%. They were the only team to average under 40%.
- Chelsea conceded 33 goals last season, four fewer than champions Manchester United.
- Chelsea conceded six headed goals in the 2010-11 season, fewer than any other side in the Premier League.
- The Blues began last season with five consecutive league wins, scoring 21 goals and conceding just one in the process.
- Frank Lampard will have completed 10 years with Chelsea in June.
- If in the starting line up, Didier Drogba will make his 250th start for the Blues and Florent Malouda his 100th Premier League start.
- Ashley Cole is due to make his 150th Premier League appearance in a Blue shirt.
Games played 85
Chelsea wins 38
Stoke wins 27
Draws 20
Head to head in the League at Victoria Ground and Britannia Stadium
Games played 37
Chelsea wins15
Stoke wins15
Draws7
Biggest league win at Stoke for each team
Stoke 6-1 Chelsea - 04/02/1939, 15/02/1947
Stoke 0-3 Chelsea - 03/12/1988
DAYS SINCE:
Chelsea lost a league game against Stoke: 13,279
Stoke last lost at home: 83
Arsenal won a trophy: 2,275
Liverpool won a trophy: 1,918
My view:
As we all know Stoke are a tough team to play but i believe Chelsea are well equipped to deal with Stokes physical presence. Im going to predict a 2-1 win for Chelsea with goals comming from Drogba and Malouda and Stokes goalscorer being Pennant.
