Stoke host Chelsea in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night in what will be another real test for Jose Mourinho and his struggling side.
Stoke City will come into the game on Tuesday off the back of a loss after being beaten 2-0 by Watford at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, but the Potters did win their previous three league games before that – conceding only one goal in the process.
To add, Mark Hughes’ side secured a 1-0 victory over Fulham in the League Cup third round but their record against Chelsea last season will not provide them with a lot of confidence ahead of their game in midweek.
They will look to pick back up with a win against the League Cup holders here and will be confident considering Chelsea’s poor form.
Chelsea come into their League Cup clash with Stoke having suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to West Ham at the Boleyn Ground at the weekend, which was their fifth Premier League defeat of the season so far.
Despite their woes in the top-flight this term, the club have fared better in the Capital One Cup and comfortably beat Walsall 4-1 in the last round thanks to goals from Ramires, Loic Remy, Kenedy and Pedro.
The reigning champions dropped to the 15th place in the standings with only 11 points and 3 won matches in Premier League.
The Potters sit one point above the Blues in 14th in the Premier League after ten weeks and so it’s tough to call who will come out on top on Tuesday.
Match facts
- Chelsea have made a torrid start to the Premier League season, losing five of their first 10 games.
- The Blues have won six and drawn one of our last seven Capital One Cup matches.
- Saturday’s home loss to Watford on Saturday was Mark Hughes’ 100th game in charge of Stoke City.
- Chelsea have won three of our last six competitive penalty shoot-outs.
- The Potters have won four of their last five penalty shoot-outs.
- Chelsea and Stoke lock horns in the League Cup for the fifth time, with the Potters winning the previous four.
- Stoke City have beaten Chelsea just once in their last 16 meetings.
Head to head
Chelsea have won the last four meetings between these two in all competitions. Stoke City last beat the Blues in December 2013 in a thrilling Premier League game that ended 3-2.
Chelsea beat Stoke City 2-1 the last time the two clubs met in April at Stamford Bridge and 2-0 when they played each other at the Britannia last December.
Team news
Stoke City will welcome back club captain Ryan Shawcross, finally fit for the first time this season.
Fellow defenders Marc Muniesa and Geoff Cameron will be out, as will ex-Barcelona hot prospect Bojan Krkic with a toe injury. Erik Pieters will miss this match due to suspension.
Mame Biram Diouf is back with the club and could be available following compassionate leave; his mother was one of the victims of the tragic crush at Mina that occurred during the most recent Hajj.
Chelsea will be without Nemanja Matic after he was sent-off against West Ham, with Ruben Loftus-Cheeck among those who could replace the midfielder.
Striker Loic Remy and forward Pedro are both likely to miss out again, joining Thibaut Courtois (knee) and Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) on the sidelines.
Asmir Begovic is expected to continue in goal on what would be his return to the Britannia following his summer move from Stoke, but Marco Amelia could make his first Chelsea start after he arrived on a free transfer.
Predicted Line-ups
Stoke City: Butland, Johnson, Cameron, Wollschei, Pieters, Adam, Whelan, Shaqiri, Krkic, Arnautovic, Joselu.
Chelsea: Amelia, Zouma, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Ramires, Willian, Fabregas, Hazard, Costa.
From : SS.com
