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
8 mins: Javier Hernandez registers the first chance of the game. He picks up the ball on the edge of the area, spots Hugo Lloris off his line and tries a curling shot which clips the crossbar on its way over.
11 mins: Tottenham are struggling to get their passing going and West Ham are breaking up play and looking for early passes in behind, the latest being to Marco Arnautovic but Hugo Lloris reads the situation and sweeps up.
13 mins: Christian Eriksen finds space on the edge of the box and fires a shot which is deflected high towards Joe Hart who opts to push the ball over for a corner. The resulting set piece comes to nothing as Harry Kane concedes a foul in the box.
15 mins: Marco Arnautovic breaks for West Ham and appears to be away as he charges into the penalty area but Serge Aurier makes a superb sliding tackle to halt the winger. West Ham are looking dangerous on the counter-attack.
17 mins: Serge Aurier concedes his second 'on-the-edge' foul and Micheal Oliver invites Harry Kane to join the conversation as the full back gets a talking to.
20 mins: Tottenham are without Moussa Dembele who is recovering from ankle surgery and wow do they miss him. Eric Dier and their other Moussa, Sissoko, are struggling to patrol the centre of the pitch.
23 mins: Just five touches for Dele Alli so far. West Ham are doing a great job in shutting out Tottenham's key players by denying them any space behind their midfield.
24 mins: Harry Kane is saved by the offside flag as Serge Aurier picks him out with a low cross and the English forward misses a tap in but the linesman spares his blushes by signalling for offside.
27 mins: Andy Carroll is making an earlier than expected appearance from the bench as he comes on for Michael Antonio. Javier Hernandez is shifted to the right with Carroll playing through the middle, deep breathes Spurs defenders.
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