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Preview: Stoke City vs. Chelsea

By Daniel Garza

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Willian of Chelsea and Bruno Martins Indi of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on December 31, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Willian of Chelsea and Bruno Martins Indi of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on December 31, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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The Premier League leaders visit the bet365 Stadium on Saturday to face Stoke City for the second time this season. 

Match Info

Who: Stoke City vs. Chelsea

When: Saturday, March 18, 3:00 (BST)

Where: bet365 Stadium

How to Watch: NBCSN (U.S) NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S) (Watch will not be televised in UK)

Preview

After earning a point against Manchester City last Wednesday, Stoke City is set to face another Premier League giant, as Chelsea will visit on Saturday afternoon.

Chelsea currently holds an 11-point lead on Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at the top of the table. In their last five EPL  fixtures, the London club has won three and drawn two.

Stoke City have won two of their last five matches in the EPL and are ninth in the table. They have already faced Chelsea this season on New Year’s Eve, the Blues won 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.

In the last 17 meetings between the two clubs, Stoke have only won twice, with both wins coming at home.

The Blues are tied for most points away from home in the EPL, with nine wins and three draws. Additionally, they have scored 21 goals and conceded 12 in their 14 away fixtures. Stoke have taken 23 of their 36 points at home this season and have outscored their opponents 18 to 15.

There are few injuries and doubtfuls for Saturday’s match.  Xherdan Shaqiri and Glen Johnson may return for the Potters and Mame Diouf is doubtful after picking up an injury in last week’s match. Chelsea will most likely be without Victor Moses who left with a calf injury in the Blues win over Manchester United.

Bottling up the midfielder will be crucial to Stoke in this match as they cannot allow the talented Chelsea midfield to feed Diego Costa up top. An advantage for the Potter may be on set pieces, which could be a way the home side achieve victory if they can manage to produce a goal.

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