Antonio Conte’s Blues came through their Boxing Day test at home to Brighton with relative ease as they drew level on points with Manchester United in second place in the Premier League table. Mark Hughes’s fortunes have taken an upturn in recent weeks with the Potters picking up 4 points from their last 2 games to distance themselves from the relegation picture – for the time being at least.
English Premier League – Chelsea v Stoke City – Stamford Bridge – Saturday 30th December 2017 – 15:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 6 at Ladbrokes |
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Chelsea
BrightonChelsea
The Blues are in the midst of an impressive stretch – having won 9, drawn 2 and lost only 1 of their previous 12 games. Their Boxing Day win over Brighton has left the Blues in 3rd the table, with 42 points from their opening 20 games. Alvaro Morata scored against the Seagulls and now has 12 goals in all competitions for the Blues.
Stoke City
Mark Hughes was the bookies favourite to get the Christmas sack prior to Stoke’s win over West Brom but their subsequent draw over Huddersfield on Boxing Day, has lifted the gloom over the Ladbrokes Stadium. Stoke now have 20 points from their opening 20 games and they currently sit in 13th place – although they are only points clear of the dreaded drop zone. Eric Chupo-Moting scored against West Brom to take his goal tally to the season to 4 – something he’ll be looking to improve upon here.
Head to Head
Chelsea have won 48 of the previous meetings between the teams whilst Stoke have won 30 and another 22 games have ended in draws. Chelsea thumped Stoke 4-0 at the Ladbrokes back in September thanks to an Alvaro Morata hat-trick and a sumptuous Pedro strike.
Chelsea v Stoke City – Betting Odds and Predictions
Stoke have been shipping goals all season whilst Chelsea haven’t hit the heights of last season.
Both teams to score – NO – is a logical bet at 3/4 with Betfair.
Alvaro Morata scored last time out and bagged a hat-trick in the previous meeting between the sides.
Alvaro Morata to score anytime is a sensible bet at 8/11 with Skybet.
Chelsea have the second best defence in the Premier League and look very resolute at the back this season.
Chelsea to win the match to nil is good value at 3/4 with Ladbrokes.
Stoke City have found goals hard to come by this season but could frustrate Chelsea.
The match to be a draw at half time and Chelsea to be winning at full time is great value at 16/5 with Bet Victor.
Score Prediction
Chelsea 3 – 0 Stoke City – 13/2 with Paddy Power.
Top Betting Tip Chelsea v Stoke City
Stoke have improved in recent times but this could be a bridge too far for them as Chelsea are very solid at home. Chelsea to win the game with a -2.5 Asian Handicap is good value at 11/8 with Coral.