Stoke City will be hoping for a repeat performance of the draw at Anfield last weekend as the Potters face their stiffest test so far of the season with the eagerly awaited visit of Chelsea.
The Brit should be rocking with yet another capacity crowd roaring the Potters on….
Vital Quotes:
Tony Pulis has taken the opportunity of casting his eye over Roman Abramovich’s millions not just once but twice over the past week as he took in the 1-1 draw against Man U. last Sunday and their 4-0 demolition of Portsmouth in the cup in midweek and warned fans and players (as if anyone needed it) to be on their guard. ‘I thought Liverpool were fantastic, but Chelsea look like a step up from that’.
Commenting on the win at Portsmouth: ‘They were awesome, with goals all through their team. But who knows? Nobody gave us a chance against Liverpool last week.’
Stoke City Team News:
Ric Fuller picked up a slight calf injury against Reading in midweek and he is officially classed as ‘doubtful’, but we’d expect him to start.
Ibrahima Sonko is another official doubt after having to be subbed early last Saturday as Tony Pulis tries to extract even the minutest advantage to keep Scolari guessing. Amdy Faye is available after completing his three match suspension.
Player to watch: Thomas Sorensen
The Dane at the back is likely to be the most active Stoke player tomorrow as the Potters will be hoping that they can recreate last weekend’s rock-solid defence.
Chelsea Team News:
The in-form Joe Cole is unlikely to feature as he recovers from a mysterious ‘minor injury’, but with such a multitude of stars, Scolari won’t have to worry unduly.
Player to watch: All of them!
Where do you start? Terry, Ballack, Lampard, Drogba, Cech, Anelka…..
But forget their team – just revel in the great atmosphere there will be at the Brit.
Match Facts & Stats
The last time we met was in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Britannia Stadium on 15 February 2003. Chelsea won 0-2 with second-half goals from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Jesper Gronkjaer.
Next Fixtures:
Sunday 5th October: Portsmouth (away) kick-off: 3pm
Sunday 19th October: Spurs (home) kick-off 4pm – SKY TV
Sunday 26th October: Manchester City (away) kick-off: 3pm
