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
55 mins: A Liverpool corner is cleared but Dejan Lovren is incensed with the referee as he feels he was having his shirt pulled and picks up a yellow card for his dissent.
60 mins: Demarai Gray makes his sixth successive appearance from the bench and takes Riyad Mahrez's place.
62 mins: Jamie Vardy must be a nightmare to defend against. He chases his own flick on and forces Dejan Lovren into conceding a throw-in deep in his half. Leicester can't take their chance and a foul the Liverpool's box gives the Reds a restbite. Meanwhile Daniel Sturridge joins the action in place of Roberto Firmino.
66 mins: Liverpool enjoy a spell of attacking play and Mo Salah receives the ball on the penalty shot and has two shots blocked.
Goal!
Gegenpressing! Harry Maguire gives away the ball and Liverpool break from the half-way line. Jordan Henderson ends up with the ball, cuts onto his right foot and coolly dispatches a left-footed shot.
Goal!
A lifeline for Leicester? Demarai Gray's shot is saved by Simoon Mignolet but onnly into the path of Jamie Vardy who heads in a response moments after Liverpool's goal.
Penalty!
71 mins: Andy King plays a delightful ball for Jamie Vardy to chase. Simon Mignolet meets Vardy in the area and fouls him. The goalkeeper is given a yellow card.
Saved!
Jamie Vardy fires the penalty just to the goalkeeper's right and Simon Mignolet saves very well.
75 mins: Kelechi Iheanacho comes on for Shinji Okazaki and James Milner replaces Emre Can.
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