Stoke v Chelsea - EA Sports Match Preview

Chelsea have the chance to go three points clear at the top of the league this evening and last weekend bounced back to winning ways with a win over Hull City.

Diego Costa got himself back on the scoresheet and brings his total for the season to twelve, in thirteen games. Costa has scored a goal every 91 minutes on average and has an impressive conversion rate of 40% (12 goals from 30 shots). In addition, exactly 80% of his shots this season have been on target (24/30), according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Costa is 29/10 to score first with 888sport.

Eden Hazard has sat on top of the dribbling charts all season, and this does not look like changing any time soon. After last weekend’s match, Hazard has completed 71 successful dribbles, which is around 4.6 take-ons per game this season, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He along with Costa are likely to be Chelsea’s biggest threats to Stoke on Monday night.

Cesc Fabregas missed Chelsea’s game against Hull but is set to return against Stoke, and that will certainly be a big boost to Jose Mourinho. The midfielder has made an astonishing 739 passes in the opposition half this season, averaging out at around 49 per game. Only Yaya Toure has a greater total in the division, according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.

Stoke will come into the game in a positive frame of mind having picked up four points from a possible six in their last two outings, including a fantastic victory over Arsenal.

In Asmir Begovic, Stoke have one of the league’s most talented goalkeepers and he has been living up to all expectations this season, as illustrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international has made 26 saves this season to help keep the goals against column as low as possible. This also showcases the great work that his defence has been doing in front of him to keep the shots testing him to a minimum.

In midfield, Steven N’Zonzi continues to impress for Stoke, as demonstrated by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. The French holding midfielder has covered a squad best 178.8km, and is equally adept on the ball as well, having completed a squad best 528 passes. His work rate and talent could be the key to unlocking the Chelsea back line.

Up top, Bojan has really started to find his feet in the Premier League and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can showcase this mercurial talent. Bojan has netted twice for the Potters and will look to threaten in behind with his top speed, recorded at 32.9km/h. He is 27/5 to score at any time this weekend with 888sport.com.