Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

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
Comments
Diego Costa returns from suspension for Chelsea against Stoke
Diego Costa returns from suspension for Chelsea against Stoke (Getty)

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.

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

GOAL - Burnley 1-0 Sunderland

Gray gives Burnley the lead at Turf Moor, his second goal in two games.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 15:31

GOAL - Chelsea 1-0 Stoke City

There's the breakthrough for Conte's side and it's Cahill who heads home from a corner. Chelsea on their way to going nine points clear at the top and equaling Arsenal's record of 13 straight Premier League wins.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 15:34

Man Utd 0-0 Middlesbrough

Paul Pogba goes for goal with an acrobatic volley for United against Middlesbrough 

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 15:40

GOAL - Southampton 1-0 West Brom

Shane Long gives Saints the lead, heading home Tadic's corner.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 15:41

GOAL - Southampton 1-1 West Brom

Matt Phillips hits straight back for the Baggies!

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 15:43

Chelsea 1-0 Stoke City

Gary Cahill celebrates his opening goal for Chelsea with team-mate David Luiz 

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 15:46

GOAL - Swansea 0-2 Bournemouth

Fraser scores from close range for the Cherries. Swansea's season just gets worse.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 15:47

Chelsea in control, Swansea in trouble, United frustrated

Half-time in all the Premier League games and we've had goals at the top and bottom. Chelsea are heading nine points clear as it stands thanks to Cahill's header, Leicester are beating West Ham and Bournemouth and steaming past Swansea. Burnley lead Sunderland, Southampton are level with West Brom and, at Old Trafford, United are being held by Middlesbrough.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 15:52

United might be drawing a blank against Middlesbrough but they feel they should be ahead. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had the ball in the net, poking past Victor Valdes, but he was penalised for a high foot. Mourinho might have something to say about that if United don't win this game.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 16:00

GOAL - Chelsea 1 Stoke 1

The Potters get back on level terms as defender Bruno Martins Indi side-foots a Charlie Adam free-kick past Thibaut Courtois to peg back the league-leaders.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 16:05

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in