Stoke vs Chelsea: What time does it start, where can I watch it and what are the odds?
A look ahead to the Premier League clash at the bet365 Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Stoke will be attempting to stop another top-six side in their tracks as they host Chelsea on Saturday.
The Potters may have only amassed five points from their first five games but they’ve already beaten Arsenal and held United in a 2-2 draw.
On-loan centre-back Kurt Zouma is ineligible to play against his parent club, while Geoff Cameron and Ryan Shawcross are both injured. Eden Hazard could make his first league start of the season for Chesea.
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What time is it?
The game kicks off at 3.00pm on Saturday 23 September at the bet365 Stadium.
Where can I watch it?
The game isn’t being broadcast on TV. Follow updates from our live blog instead.
It’s a big game for?
Mark Hughes. The Stoke manager saw his side beat Arsenal in the second game of the new season and notably hold United to their first draw earlier this month, but the Potters are still yet to find their feet. Defeat against Newcastle last week means the side have only picked up five points from their opening five games. A win against Chelsea on Saturday would do Stoke no end of favours and hopefully kickstart their season into life.
Player to watch?
Eden Hazard. The Belgian’s late introduction last weekend against Arsenal demonstrated what Chelsea miss without him in the side. He re-energised the team with his vision and technical ability and Conte will be hoping he can make the difference against a traditionally stubborn Stoke side on Saturday.
Head-to-head:
Stoke 1 Chelsea 2, Premier League, March 2017
Chelsea 4 Stoke 2, Premier League, December 2016
Chelsea 1 Stoke 1, Premier League, March 2016
Form:
Stoke: LLDDW
Chelsea: WDWWW
Odds:
Stoke to win: 24/5
Draw: 16/5
Chelsea to win: 4/7
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League on this fine Saturday!
There are no fewer than eight games for us to get our collective teeth into today so without further ado, off we go.
In the immortal words of Steven George Gerrard, we go again...
First up is West Ham against London rivals Tottenham. Spurs are seeking revenge for May's defeat to West Ham which ended their title challenge.
Slaven Bilic is already under pressure to improve results in the Premier League, what would he give for a repeat of that 1-0 win four months ago?
Team News
Andy Carroll only makes the bench for West Ham who start Marco Arnautovic after coming on a substitute against West Brom.
Team News
Tottenham make eight changes from their 1-0 win against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup and hand Serge Aurier his Premier League debut.
1898 was the first clash between these two old sides and is the fixture that Slaven Bilic made his West Ham debut in 1996.
He now faces a battle to save his job in East London and former West Ham manager Alan Pardew has told Sky Sports BIlic is under pressure.
"He's a manger that there's genuine love from him they want him to do well. He's still under pressure today to find West Ham a way to get going."
Just the two Premier League goals for Harry Kane but he has scored five in his nine matches against the Hammers for Spurs.
A couple today and a win would prevent the possibility of Spurs slipping away from the front runners. The North London side start the day fifth and already five points adrift from Manchester City and Manchester United.
Bubbles
The players are coming out of the tunnel, bubbles are in the air and the first kick off of the day is minutes away.
1 min: Spurs get play underway. The London stadium is packed and loud. Tottenham's first job will be to silence the fans who are up for this one.
2 mins: West Ham nick the ball in their own half and look to release Javier Hernandez early but the forward is offside. Spurs with all the possession at the moment.
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