Chelsea vs. Stoke City: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream and TV Info

The Premier League returns this weekend, and with Chelsea facing Stoke City at home, Jose Mourinho's side will be hoping to take one more step closer to being crowned champions.

Mourinho may have lost his voice from drilling his players on the training ground this week, but he remained in good spirits as he spoke with the press ahead of this game.

Given the position his team is in, is there any wonder?

"We need six wins and one draw to win the title," Mourinho said. "[...] I really hope we do it."

Chelsea are six points clear top of the table, with a game in hand, and look in control of this title race.

The last time Stoke scored a goal at Stamford Bridge came in January 2009, so with a record like that, Mourinho should feel confident of his team picking up another three points on home turf.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

Indeed, Stoke haven't scored against Chelsea in their last three outings, either.

Since beating Chelsea 3-2 in December 2013, the Potters have lost 1-0, 3-0 and 2-0 to Chelsea, with the latter coming in a pre-Christmas matchup at the Britannia Stadium.

That game was a heated affair, with the likes of Phil Bardsley counting himself fortunate not to be taking an early shower.

Bardsley was guilty of dishing out some heavy treatment to Eden Hazard in particular that night, and we can expect this encounter to be just as physical.

Stoke may well be mid-table and not have much to play for in terms of their league position, but this is a Mark Hughes side and they always compete, regardless.

Stoke have been a barometer for success in recent seasons. Championships have been won and lost against them—just ask Arsenal—so it's vital Chelsea lay down a marker.

Date: Saturday, April 4

Time: 5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Stamford Bridge, London

TV Info: Sky Sports (UK only)/NBCSN (U.S. only)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only)/NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)

Team news

Jose Mourinho reported a clean bill of health for his squad ahead of Stoke City's visit to London.

That included Diego Costa, who Mourinho explained had recovered from the hamstring injury he picked up against Hull City before the international break.

Whether or not Costa is fully match fit remains to be seen, though, and it's expected Loic Remy will start this game.

Remy scored the winner against Hull, so he'll be full of confidence ahead of this game.

John Obi Mikel is also back in full training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but he will not make the matchday squad as he attempts to improve his fitness.

As for Stoke City, Victor Moses has been injured with a groin strain, but given his loan deal with Chelsea, he wouldn't be featuring in this game anyway.

Elsewhere, Marc Muniesa could miss out with a hamstring, while Peter Odemwingie and Bojan Krcic remain long-term absentees with knee injuries.

Last 5 games

March 1	Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
March 4	West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea
March 11	Chelsea 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain (AET)
March 15	Chelsea 1-1 Southampton
March 22	Hull City 2-3 Chelsea

February 21	Aston Villa 1-2 Stoke City
February 28	Stoke City 1-0 Hull City
March 4	Stoke City 2-0 Everton
March 14	West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Stoke City
March 21	Stoke City 1-2 Crystal Palace

Players to watch

Loic Remy

Michael Regan/Getty Images

The French striker has waited patiently for his chance to impress at Chelsea this season, and with Diego Costa's fitness being questioned, this could well be it.

Remy has rarely let Chelsea down whenever he has featured, anyhow.

When Costa was suspended against Manchester City in January, he started and scored for Chelsea. And against Hull a fortnight ago, he came off the bench to score the winner in a 3-2 win.

He's talented, a real threat in front of goal and has a lot to give this Chelsea team.

Ryan Shawcross

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

It's always interesting to watch Shawcross against the Premier League's leading sides.

The Stoke defender is actually cut a raw deal by the media.

He has a reputation as being nothing less than a brute, but Shawcross is a more-than-capable defender. He has been the bedrock of Stoke's success since they established themselves in the Premier League and can hold his own.

He is physical, but equally he reads the game well and puts himself in good positions.

He'll give Remy or Costa a tough evening at Stamford Bridge, but not only that, he will be a threat from set pieces.

As we've seen recently, too, Chelsea have looked frail in that department, so Shawcross will look to get forward at every opportunity.

Prediction

Chelsea 2-0 Stoke City

Odds

Home win: 3/10

Away win: 15/1

Draw: 5/1

First goalscorer: Loic Remy (4/1)

*Odds via Oddschecker

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes