Caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo takes charge of his first Premier League game today as Chelsea face a Stoke City side who have won their last 2 games.
Chelsea have no new injury concerns, as full-back Ashley Cole has recovered from a foot injury, and John Terry continues his miraculous recovery from a knee injury that looked like it would keep him out for much longer, while Jose Bosingwa will again miss out.
Stoke beat a decent Norwich City side last week and will hope to stay unchanged from that game, although centre-back Andy Wilkinson is a slight doubt, but should recover in time.
Chelsea need to get back to winning ways after just 1 win in the last 6, although that did come in their last home game, a confident 3-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers.
Stoke have a less than impressive recent record at Stamford Bridge, shipping 11 goals in their last 2 visits, although Chelsea are far from their free-scoring form at the moment.
Stoke like to keep it tight at the back this season, but Chelsea looked a lot more confident in the final third in the second-half in midweek, and will hope to build on that performance.
Likely line-ups
Chelsea:- Cech; Cole, Luiz, Cahill, Ivanovic; Essien, Lampard, Ramires; Sturridge, Drogba, Mata
Stoke:- Sorensen; Wilson, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth; Etherington, Whelan, Whitehead, Shotton; Walters, Crouch
Score Prediction: Chelsea 2 – 0 Stoke City
By Brad Smith