Stoke City vs. Chelsea Preview: Predicting the Blues' Starting 11

Andre Villas-Boas' first competitive match in charge of Chelsea is a tough trip to the Britannia Stadium on Sunday, where they will face Tony Pulis' Stoke City.

The Potters had a great 2010/11 season, finishing comfortably in mid-table in the league and reaching the FA Cup final, losing narrowly to Manchester City, 1-0, but qualifying for the Europa League in the process.

Their European campaign has started, as they beat Croatian side Hajduk Split, 2-0, on aggregate to reach the next round. Chelsea will have to be ready from the kickoff as their opponents have already experienced competitive football this season, while the Blues have only been used to low-tempo friendlies.

Stoke lost just five games at home last season, winning 10 of their 19 outings. Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw last time around.

After mixing the team around a lot in preseason, it will be interesting to see who Villas-Boas will pick to start the league campaign, although it is very likely that he will choose a 4-3-3 formation. Here is the team that I am expecting him to pick.

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

Winner of Chelsea's 2010/11 Player of the Year Award, Cech has been at the club for seven seasons and has been the team's No. 1 ever since his move from Rennes.

An ever-present in the league last year, Cech will hope to continue that form into the new campaign.

Thibaut Courtois, 19, has been signed as his long-term successor, but the Belgian will spend this season on loan at Atletico Madrid. At 29 years of age, Cech has plenty of years left in him at the top of his game. The only other first-team keepers at the club are Ross Turnbull and Hilario, but neither are likely to challenge for a starting place.

Right Back: Jose Bosingwa

Portuguese full back Bosingwa has struggled with injury problems for the last two years and, despite his return midway through last season, didn't perform at the level we saw from him at Stamford Bridge during his first season at the club.

After a full preseason and a new manager of his nationality, Bosingwa will be hoping for a fresh start this campaign and to rediscover his form that made him one of the best full backs in the league.

I don't think we'll see him start every game for Chelsea this season as I think Branislav Ivanovic will move to right back. Due to the lack of fitness of David Luiz and Alex, I feel it's likely the Serb will be used at centre back this weekend, with Bosingwa being preferred to his international teammate Paulo Ferreira at right back because of his threat on the attack.

Centre Back: John Terry

Captain John Terry has been one of the first names on the teamsheet at Chelsea for many years.

His passion and enthusiasm for the club is second to none, and his defensive qualities make him one of the best defenders in the world.

Despite being a well-known for his last-ditch interceptions and crucially timed tackles, Terry is as good a ball-playing centre back as just about anyone on the planet and is equally adept and playing passes with either foot.

Terry will lead the team out on Sunday, as he will every week if the England skipper can avoid injuries and suspensions.

Centre Back: Branislav Ivanovic

A regular in the Blues' starting 11 last season, Ivanovic is equally capable of playing in the centre or on the right of defence. He does have a slight knock, but should be okay for the game on Sunday.

I have picked him over David Luiz as the Brazilian hasn't played much football in the build-up to the new season. He missed the preseason friendlies as he was on international duty with Brazil at the Copa America; however he didn't feature at all during the tournament.

Although he would have been training with the team for the last couple of weeks in front of Villas-Boas, I don't think he'll be given a starting place for the first game with no match practice, especially against such physical opponents.

The other option would be Alex at centre back with Ivanovic at right-back. Having three very strong defenders could be an effective tactic against Stoke's physical style, although Alex has been struggling for fitness in preseason. I'd say it is more likely that he will opt for Ivanovic in the middle with Bosingwa at right-back.

Left Back: Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole is one of the world's best full backs and is sure to start on Sunday.

His superb fitness levels allow him to charge down the left flank frequently during games and he is always capable of getting back if Chelsea lose possession.

Following Yury Zhirkov's departure, youngsters Patrick van Aanholt and Ryan Bertrand are Cole's only competition at left back. It is likely that they will only act as backups this season due to Cole's integral role in Chelsea's attack as well as defence.

Defensive Midfielder: Ramires

Michael Essien's injury is likely to keep him out for most of the season so it will be up to other Chelsea players to play in the role in front of the defence.

John Obi Mikel is the most natural replacement; however he has an ankle injury and is rated as doubtful for the Stoke match, whilst new signing Oriol Romeu is on international duty with Spain at the U-20 World Cup.

Josh McEachran, 18, has impressed in preseason; however I think it is unlikely that Villas-Boas will trust him in a tough opening game to the league campaign.

Ramires is more accustomed to playing in a box-to-box midfield role but, given the availability of other players, I think he may be asked to play more defensively for this game. He may have a slim build, but the Brazilian is certainly not afraid of a tackle and could be useful in breaking up opposition attacks.

Centre Midfielder: Frank Lampard

Lampard is another player that is almost guaranteed a start on Sunday.

The Englishman had been suffering from a throat infection earlier in the week, but was back in training on Wednesday and so will be fit for the game at the Britannia.

There has been the suggestion that Lampard will be played in a more deep-lying role this season after being used there in a friendly. In my opinion, this is not the right position for him as his main strength has always been his contribution of goals from midfield; a deep-lying role will not allow him to do this anywhere near as effectively.

He may be 33, but his fitness levels are still among the highest in the league so I don't think anyone can question his ability to get forward.

Lampard scored 13 goals last season despite missing much of it due to injury. I fully expect him to feature frequently on the scoresheet in the 2011/12 campaign.

Centre Midfielder: Yossi Benayoun

After his first season at Stamford Bridge was severely shortened by injury, Benayoun will be determined to play a bigger part this campaign.

After a good preseason, Benayoun will be hoping that Villas-Boas gives him a starting place this weekend. He has been used on the wing, but is also capable of playing in midfield and I expect Villas-Boas to partner him alongside Lampard. If Ramires is holding the midfield, both of them should be allowed to get forward when the opportunity arises.

Whereas Lampard is more of a goal scorer, Benayoun is very creative and many believe him to be the solution to Fernando Torres' problems. If he was to put in a performance against Stoke, some might say the pursuit of Luka Modric isn't needed.

Josh McEachran may be used as an alternative, but I'd tip Villas-Boas to go for experience over youth on Sunday.

Right Forward: Nicolas Anelka

Anelka's future has been the subject of speculation this summer, but at present he is still a Chelsea player.

He can be frustrating at times, but Anelka's career proves that he has undoubted quality, putting him ahead of Salomon Kalou, who has never really lived up to his supposed potential.

Daniel Sturridge's preseason form would surely have earned him a place in preference to Anelka; however the 21-year-old has a three-match ban to start the season after being sent off in his final game for Bolton when he was on loan there.

Left Forward: Florent Malouda

Chelsea's top scorer in the league last season with 13 goals, Malouda is a player that the Blues' fans wish would be on form every week. If he did, he'd be among the world's best wingers.

If Chelsea are to be successful this season, then Villas-Boas will have to find a way of getting the best out of players like Malouda. He has generally had a good preseason and is likely to start on Sunday ahead of Kalou.

Centre Forward: Didier Drogba

Fernando Torres may be forced to sit out of the game anyways after he was taken off with concussion during Spain's midweek friendly against Italy. However I would expect Drogba to be given the nod ahead of him even if he is fit.

There was a lot of talk about how Villas-Boas would work on forging a formidable pairing between the two during the summer, but judging by preseason this has not happened, as the two have rarely been on the pitch at the same time.

Drogba looked a lot sharper than Torres last week against Rangers and is very good at defending set pieces with his aerial presence, which could be vital against Stoke.

Chelsea's second-half lineup against Rangers saw Drogba, Anelka and Malouda together up front, and I would not be surprised if that was in preparation for the Stoke game.