Chelsea vs Stoke Predictions, Betting Tips and Preview

Chelsea vs Stoke predictions and Premier League betting tips for the New Year’s Day fixture plus head to head stats, team news and a 15/2 correct score betting tip.

 

Can Chelsea continue their relentless push for the Premier League title against Stoke on Saturday? The Blues are looking to round out the year on a high, and they could be set for a big victory on New Year’s Eve.

 

Chelsea v Stoke Predictions

 

Chelsea’s festive fixture list looks quite kind. Not only did they have Bournemouth on Monday, but they’ve been given a four-day break between that and their clash with Stoke. While suspensions for Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante looked like a problem, they claimed a 3-0 win anyway. That problem might turn out to be a blessing, with two key players fully rested for this game.

 

The Potters were just mauled 4-1 at Liverpool on Wednesday, continuing their awful form against top six sides. They’ve lost eight of their last nine against the top sides, losing at half-time in seven of those games. They’ve averaged three goals against per outing, which should really worry them. Given that the Blues have been ahead at half-time and full-time in eight of their last 11, we’re backing the league leaders to lead at the end of each half for our first Chelsea vs Stoke betting tip, which is 20/23 with Coral.

 

Stoke need to worry about their formation here, as they’re expected to go with a 3-4-2-1 set-up for this clash. That didn’t help them against Liverpool, and the last side to play three at the back at Chelsea was Everton, who lost 5-0. Eden Hazard was in brilliant form, as facing that set-up gives him a lot of freedom. He’s up to be up against Mame Biram Diouf and Glen Johnson on Stoke’s right side. We can’t see them doing much to stop the Belgian, so we’re backing Hazard to score any time at 6/5 with Betfred for our second Chelsea vs Stoke prediction.

 

Chelsea vs Stoke Team News

Chelsea are welcoming back Costa and Kante from suspension, although Pedro misses out here after picking up a fifth yellow card. Aside from him, John Terry is their only other absentee for the Blues. Marko Arnautovic is suspended for Stoke, while Jack Butland and Phil Bardsley are both out for the visitors.

 

Chelsea vs Stoke Head to Head Stats

Stoke are unbeaten in three against Chelsea, but that run includes their only two victories in 20 meetings with the Blues. They’ve lost in five of their last six trips to Stamford Bridge, losing four of those to nil.

 

Chelsea v Stoke Betting Odds

Unsurprisingly, Bet365 make Chelsea 1/4 favourites. Given how Stoke have performed against top sides, they could be on the end of a big defeat. With Chelsea performing well against the 3-4-2-1 in the past, like their win at City, we’re backing them to win easily here. The league leaders have scored three goals per game on average at home, so we’re backing a 3-0 win at 15/2 with Bet Victor.

 

Chelsea v Stoke Betting Tips

Chelsea/Chelsea Half-time/full-time – 20/23 with Coral: open an account get £20 free.

Eden Hazard to score any time – 6/5 with Betfred: open an account get £60 free.

Chelsea to win 3-0 – 15/2 with Bet Victor: open an account get £60 free.

 

Betfred Bet £10 get a £60 Free Bet

Open a new Betfred account using the steps below and get £60 in free bets added to your new account. For example bet £10 on Hazard to score anytime to win £21. Win or lose you will get a £30 free bet for sports and £30 for casino.

 

How to get the bet £10 get £60 free:

1. Click this link to Betfred and open an account

2. Bet £10 on any football bet

3. Win or lose get a £30 sports bet and £30 for casino