Premier League preview and odds: Chelsea vs Stoke City

Published on: 29/12/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Chelsea vs Stoke City

December 31, 2016 16:00pm - Stamford Bridge

Referee: TBC

Premier League

League leaders Chelsea will look to extend their winning run to 13 matches when they welcome a Stoke City side who are winless in four to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Can Chelsea`s remarkable run continue?

Chelsea have won 12 Premier League matches in a row, scoring 28 goals and conceding just two in the process. Their remarkable run of form have left them six points clear at the top of the table with nearly half of the season played.

Antonio Conte`s men will hope to maintain their momentum in front of their home crowd on New Year`s Eve. They will be boosted by the fact that top scorer Diego Costa will return for this clash following his recent suspension.

The Blues last failed to earn maximum pints at home back in September when second-ranked Liverpool edged to a 2-1 win. A win on Saturday will ensure that they keep the Merseyside club at arms length heading into the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, Stoke are experiencing a bit of a wobble after a decent run of form saw them penetrate the top half of the table. Mark Hughes` men are now winless in four after losing away to Arsenal (3-1) and Liverpool (4-1) either side of a pair of home draws against Southampton (0-0) and Leicester City (2-2).

The Potters are facing a top four side for the third away game running and will be hoping to improve on the last two results. However, they have not won at Stamford Bridge in the top flight for more than 40 years.

Team news

The home side will continue without injured captain John Terry who is still recovering from a gluteal strain. However, Diego Costa is back from his ban to lead the front line.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to make do without the suspended Marko Arnautovic, while Phil Bardsley (knee), Geoff Cameron (knee), Jack Butland (Ankle) and Stephen Ireland (leg) are all out injured.

Recent form (League):

Chelsea: WWWWW

Sunderland: LDDLW

Betting odds and tips

Chelsea`s winning streak must come to and an sooner or later but it is hard to imagine Stoke City being the team to break their stride.

The Blues have kept 10 clean sheets in their last 12 games and a Win to Nil looks like the only bet worth taking in this game.

You can back Chelsea to Win to Nil at 5/6 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 29/12/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (29/12/2016 14:39:54) but are subject to change.