Stoke City vs Chelsea - Premier League preview and odds

Published on: 18/03/2017

Stoke City vs Chelsea - Premier League preview and odds

March 18, 2017 15:00 pm - Bet365 Stadium

Premier League

Stoke City will bid to extend their unbeaten home run to nine games when they entertain league leaders Chelsea at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

Stoke City looking to improve on ninth-ranked status

Stoke City have mad ninth pace their own in recent years so finishing above that benchmark will be their target this season. With just four points separating them and eight-ranked West Bromwich Albion, that target is certainly within their reach. This weekend however, they face the difficult task of taking on the best team in the country.

The Potters are defending a strong home record which has seen them go unbeaten in their last eight, with half of those games won and half drawn. Over a longer sample period, they have lost just one of their last 12 on home soil. During that period, only Leicester City have scored more than one goal in a game at the Bet365 Stadium.

Meanwhile, with their main challengers all playing tomorrow, Chelsea will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table. The Blues have only been beaten twice on the road this term, with both of those defeats coming in North London (Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur).

Overall, Antonio Conte`s men are undefeated in their last seven matches and scored at least once in each of those games. They have scored at least one goal in all but two of their away games, with both blanks coming in their defeats. They have been leading 1-0 at halftime in eight of their away games.

Team news

Mame Biram Diouf (knee), Jack Butland (ankle) and Stephen Ireland (double leg fracture) will all miss out for the home side, while Xherdan Shaqiri (calf strain) and Glen Johnson (shoulder problem) are both doubtful.

The visitors seem to have managed their fitness situation well this season with Victor Moses (calf) the only possible absentee for this clash.

Recent form (League)

Stoke City: DWLWL

Chelsea: WWDWD

Betting odds and tips

Chelsea have drawn two and lost one of their last five home games and were held 1-1 at Burnley recently. However, they have been leading 1-0 in eight of their away games and at 5/2, that wager looks tempting this weekend.

Chelsea 1-0 Halftime Score can be backed at 5/2 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 18/03/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (18/03/2017 11:41:34) but are subject to change.