Stoke v Chelsea preview

New boys looking to cause Blues shock

Last updated: 26th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Stoke v Chelsea preview
PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: Stoke 0 Chelsea 2

SKY BET odds: Stoke 10/1, Draw 7/2, Chelsea 1/3

One to Watch: Frank Lampard

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Stoke play host to Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium aiming to build on their draw with Liverpool last weekend.

The Premier League newcomers confounded the sceptics last week with an impressive goalless draw at Anfield and they now face another of the so-called 'big four' on Saturday.

Stoke will be aiming to cause another major shock by ending Chelsea's unbeaten start to the season.

Ricardo Fuller is expected to recover from a knee problem to take his place in the starting XI after being named on the bench against Liverpool because of a stomach upset.

The Jamaican is set to replace Mamady Sidibe in the starting line-up as Tony Pulis has no real injury worries to contend with.

Pulis' biggest dilemma is in central defence as he must decide who will start alongside Abdoulaye Faye.

Ibrahima Sonko has recovered from the knee problem which forced him off against Liverpool and he is battling with Leon Cort for a spot in the starting XI.

Amdy Faye is available again after serving a ban, but the game has come too soon for injured defender Andrew Davies.

The visit to Stoke is Chelsea's first clash against one of the Premier League new boys and they will be aiming to keep pressure on the leading pack in the title race.

Luiz Felipe Scolari is without key duo Ricardo Carvalho and Deco for the trip to the Potteries.

Carvalho is missing with a knee problem, while Deco is struggling with a thigh injury.

Alex is set to partner John Terry in defence and Michael Ballack will take Deco's place in midfield.

Didier Drogba is pushing for a place in the side after making his first start of the season in Wednesday's 4-0 Carling Cup win over Portsmouth, but Nicolas Anelka is likely to lead the attack.

Possible starting XIs

Stoke: Simonsen, Griffin, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Delap, Lawrence, Olofinjana, Diao, Kitson, Fuller.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, A Cole, Terry, Alex, Mikel, Lampard, Ballack, J Cole, Malouda, Anelka