Matic has been good offensively this season , several assists, been prepared to take the ball to the byline on occasion. Doesn't have fab's pass of course but offers so much more defensively.

Kante will definitely benefit from the break.

Batman may get 15 minutes this game.

Diego and Kante straight back in.  Defend like they did v Lpool and we will absolutely nail them. 4 or 5.  Going to be a tough game like WBA IMO

Am expecting a tight game, I usually do to be fair. 

Have to be fair though, I said Liverpool would beat them for sure and they did, because sides that want to win the title do not fail to beat teams like Stoke at home. If we want to have a realistic shot at staying where we are we must beat teams like Stoke. 

Edited December 31, 20169 yr by axman2526

6-0

Hazard (x3)

Costa

Willi

Moses

 

So, we are expecring a win today. No jinx. It's just how it is, we must win this poor Stoke side at home no matter what, good or bad daily form.
Plus, what a huge game LIV-MANC is, for us as well. Our win + maybe a draw there and we're 8 and 9 points clear going in the 2nd half of the season.
On top of that, EVERY other team has less time to prepare to the next fixture. We play today and on wednesday, Liverpool today and again on monday! Arsenal very similar. So, extra point dropping from competitors are expected, so next 2 good results may be worth more than 6 points. Plus, breaking 4rsenals rekord of 14 wins wold be just a REALLY early 2017 Christmas present. :-) Again, no jinx.

just want to point out that Stoke rested a few of their key players against Pool, so they might play not as bad as they did against Pool

Match day.....COME ON YOU BLUES !

Well the good news is Costa and Kante are back, whilst Arnaut is out for the Potters, and we have a remarkable record against the them at home.

The bad news is Pedro is out for the team and well, you never know because we may be overconfident, and that's something to worry about.

Happy New Year everyone! Let's see our team close 2016 on a euphoric high.

 

don`t care about the score...3 points is a must.

On ?29?/?12?/?2016 at 14:42, mbh said:

Results 1971 / 1972 season home 2 - 0, away 0 - 1.

Will take 1 - 0 but prefer a 2 - 0 or 3 - 0 as they are less stressful on my old ticker, at this stage of season. COYBb

Cheers for posting that programme cover from 1972.

The days when match programmes cost just 5p !

I too,will happily take a 2-0 Chelsea win today.

Come on Chelsea !

On ?2016?-?12?-?31 at 10:28, Devil Dog said:

don`t care about the score...3 points is a must.

Same here. I'd take a 1-0 right here and now.

Three points is what matters. Don't really care how we get them.

12 minutes ago, Devil Dog said:

don`t care about the score...3 points is a must.

Totally agree with you.

3 points please Chelsea.

GAMEDAY! COME ON CHELS!!!

Arnautovic still suspended which is useful...he's been handy against us before 

2 hours ago, magichat said:

just want to point out that Stoke rested a few of their key players against Pool, so they might play not as bad as they did against Pool

We had players out when we beat Bournemouth 3-0, the same Bournemouth that gave the dippers a two goal head start.

They will put 10 men behind the ball and make it difficult for us to break them down. They will be physical bordering on dirty. An early goal is a must. Let's hope we continue our run. COME ON YOU BLUES !!!

Ideal Match:

Chelsea 5-0 Stoke

A brace for Hazard and a hatrick for Diego

Don't see the high scores that are predicted, it would be crucial to get the three points ahead of the y*ds game. Fully fit rested Costa could go on a rampage and Kante restored his batteries, c'mon you mighty blues

I hope the prospect of going 8 points clear and playing Tottenham next week isn't too distracting. I'd take a dirty WBA/Sunderland/Middlesbrough 1-0 and save the United/Everton/Leicester form for when it is needed.

I like to think we could follow Liverpool and destroy them, but that game will have made them wary. Plus, as the leaders on a winning run, teams are determined to try and shut us out. Having Costa in for this game will be a big help, we know how physical Stoke can be. Not in the habit of predicting scores so won't, but if we're in the right frame of mind, they don't have enough to stop us.

Chelsea team today: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Diego Costa, Hazard.

Chelsea subs: Begovic, Zouma, Ivanovic, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Batshuayi. #CHESTK

Good and strong lineup, COME ON CHELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Matic on the bench. Conte is using Fabregas instead to unlock Stokes defense. Hope it works.

Not so sure with Matic out of the line up....Cesc is a bit lightweight for Stoke's midfield; clearly Antonio has a game plan