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
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
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...
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
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.
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
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
82 mins: Origi wins a corner for Liverpool, who are finally having a better spell. Eight minutes from a win which put them six points behind Chelsea.
85 mins: Mane has been arguably Liverpool's best player and more intricate footwork almost puts him in on goal, but City scramble it clear.
87 mins: Lallana eases Silva off the ball on the edge of the area. City want a free-kick but the referee waves play on. Looked the right decision. Iheanacho is on for Toure for City, while Lucas replaces Mane for the home side.
91 mins: City come forward, they have just less than three minutes to save a point - or suffer a real blow to their title hopes.
93 minutes: Origi steams in on Otamendi in the corner and, to his credit, forces a foul out of the City man. Liverpool, unsurprisingly, take it short as they try to run down the clock.
94 minutes: One last chance for City to come forward - Liverpool crowd demanding the full-time whistle.
FULL-TIME
A big, big win for Liverpool. Wijnaldum's early header did the damage and, in all honesty, Liverpool were rarely troubled. klopp's men move to within six points of leaders Chelsea, while Pep Guardiola's side are now 10 points behind the men from Stamford Bridge.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments