Chelsea vs. Stoke City: Preview, Live Stream and TV Info

Premier League champions Chelsea will look to extend their five-game unbeaten run when they welcome Stoke City to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues are 16 points behind leaders Manchester City, so finishing in the UEFA Champions League positions is the priority.

Stoke are only three points clear of the relegation zone but could climb as high as 11th with a shock victory in west London.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 30

Time: 3 p.m. (GMT)/10 a.m. (ET)

TV: NBCSN (U.S. only)

Stream: NBC Sports Live, fuboTV

Preview

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Regaining the title might already be a pipe dream for Chelsea with the Christmas festivities barely over, but there's still much to play for as Premier League teams prepare for the start of 2018.

Blues manager Antonio Conte must consider whether to refresh his squad in January, and the result and performance against the Potters could influence his decision.

Stoke have conceded 41 goals in the league this season—the most of any Premier League side—and Conte will be expecting a comprehensive victory from his men.

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Chelsea's big issue has been putting the ball in the net this term, as they have scored 34 goals compared to leaders Manchester City's 61 and second-place Manchester United's 43 strikes.

The Blues defence has been their saving grace, and Stoke will struggle to penetrate a side that has conceded only 14 times in 20 league matches.

Conte will likely send the champions out in a 3-4-3 to go on the attack, hoping to put the visitors to the sword with the minimum amount of work and effort.

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland has said his team must play with more discipline as they attempt to find a rare clean sheet.

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Speaking to Signal Radio, the England international said (h/t Martin Spinks of the Stoke Sentinel):

"I'd like a few more clean sheets, it's been a long time since I had one of them.

"We've been giving up too many chances and goals and giving ourselves too much to do in games, but we are picking up points and that's the main thing.

"A little bit of a change of formation and change of mentality, really getting the most out of people, which we haven't been doing, but the goal can't happen. ...

"We have got a big game Saturday, Chelsea away, without a few people, so it will be a big test of character.

"Obviously we are going to be without Kurt Zouma, but hopefully Ryan [Shawcross'] calf isn't too bad. We are going to have to call upon a few players and they are going to have to step up."

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According to Squawka, Butland has achieved only two clean sheets in 16 Premier League appearances this season, and it will take a huge effort to improve that record against on Saturday.

Eden Hazard will be expected to provide the creativity Chelsea need, but the home side have been tepid at times this term.

The Belgium international has scored five goals in the Premier League this season but has provided only two assists, going some way towards explaining his team's lack of potency.

Diego Costa's exile ahead of his January exit has hit the Blues hard, and Conte must find a way of getting his dangerous attacking unit producing the goods once again. Chelsea are nowhere near their magnificent form of 12 months ago.