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As it happenedended

Chelsea vs Stoke live: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on and where can I watch it?

Everything you need to know about Chelsea vs Stoke

Jack Portley,George Cooper
Friday 30 December 2016 20:49 GMT
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Diego Costa returns from suspension for Chelsea against Stoke
Diego Costa returns from suspension for Chelsea against Stoke (Getty)

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Antonio Conte’s Chelsea juggernaut seems to be unstoppable at the moment.

On New Year’s Eve, they can claim their 13th straight Premier League win and equal Arsenal’s record for the most consecutive victories in a single season.

Standing in their way is Stoke City, who initially impressed at Anfield on Tuesday night before being blown away and going down 4-1.

With one or perhaps both of Liverpool and Manchester City assured of dropping points later, Chelsea could potentially end the year eight points clear at the summit.

Follow live updates on our blog below...

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It’s a big game for…

Jon Walters: The Stoke forward hasn’t scored since his goal in the Potters’ 2-0 victory over Burnley at the beginning of the month. With Marko Arnautovic out through suspension too, Walters may be the visitors’ main hope of a goal at Stamford Bridge.

Weird stat…

1: In the last three meetings between the two sides, neither team has scored more than one goal.

Remember when…

In an affair between the two sides in April 2015, Charlie Adam scored this audacious effort from his own half but saw his side fall to a 2-1 defeat.

Player to watch…

Eden Hazard: After a pretty dismal campaign last season, the Belgian looks invigorated under new boss Antonio Conte. Stoke will do well to avoid a drubbing from what seems like an unstoppable Chelsea side at the moment.

Eden Hazard celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Bournemouth
Eden Hazard celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Bournemouth (Getty)

Past three meetings…

Chelsea 1 (Traore) Stoke 1 (Diouf), Premier League, March 2016

Stoke 1 (Arnautovic) Chelsea 0, Premier League, November 2015

Stoke 1 (Walters) Chelsea 1 (Remy) (Stoke win on penalties) EFL Cup, October 2015

Form guide…

Chelsea: WWWWWW

Stoke: LWWLDD

Charlie Adam scored against Chelsea from his own half (Getty)
Charlie Adam scored against Chelsea from his own half (Getty) (Getty Images)

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 15:00, Saturday 31st December 2016

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC TWO – 10pm

Odds…

Chelsea to win: 2/7

Stoke to win: 12/1

Draw: 5/1

61 mins: Pressure from City now and Liverpool are stretched. De Bryune tries to clip a cross to the back post but it's cleared by Klaven.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:48

66 mins: Crowd favourite Divock Origi has come on for Jordan Henderson who has picked up an injury. Not entirely sure what's up with the Liverpool captain - suggestions he might just be feeling unwell. Origi has five goals in his last seven games...

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:52

68 mins: Just over 20 minutes to go at Anfield. Liverpool, it must be said, have been disjointed in the last 15 minutes or so. City seeing much more of the ball and doing more with it - but can they find an equaliser?

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:56

70 mins: Origi wins a corner for Liverpool at the Kop end. Liverpool clear.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:56

72 mins: City back on the front foot, as they have been for much of the second half. Sterling lofts the ball forward for Aguero to chase but again Liverpool's defence stands firm.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 18:59

73 mins: And now Liverpool come forward. Milner thinks he's won a corner kick off Toure but the referee disagrees and it's a goal-kick.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 19:00

75 mins: Can is booked for a foul on Sterling just inside the Liverpool half. The last five minutes have been scrappy with both sides mis-placing passes. 

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 19:02

76 mins: Sterling's cross is cleared but Can concedes another corner. Constant City pressure now. Liverpool clear the corner but the away side have it again.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 19:03

78 mins: City have had 74 per cent possession in the last 10 minutes. And Anfield is nervous.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 19:04

80 mins: Another corner to City, won by De Bruyne. Milner thumps it away. Liverpool just cannot keep the ball.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 19:07

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