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Chelsea v Stoke preview
- Updated: December 30, 2016
Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante are set to return for Chelsea when they host Stoke City on New Year’s Eve.
Chelsea are currently six points clear of second-placed Liverpool, having embarked on a remarkable 12-match League winning spree since losing to the Gunners back in September.
But, speaking ahead of Stoke’s visit on Saturday, Chelsea manager Conte said their title rivals have plenty of time to recover the deficit.
“Twelve wins in a row is a great achievement but it is not enough to win the league at this point of the season,” he said.
Stoke travel to London on the back of a 4-1 defeat at second-placed Liverpool on Tuesday night, and will look to improve their league form having not won a Premier League match since December 3.
Team news
Pedro is suspended but Costa and Kante are expected to make immediate returns after serving one-match bans in the Blues’ 12th straight win, against Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
Club captain John Terry has returned to training following a gluteal strain, but is likely to have to be patient before making his competitive return.
Defender Phil Bardsley could make his return to Stoke’s matchday squad on Saturday.
Bardsley, sidelined by a knee injury since November 19, has been training this week.
Marko Arnautovic is still …
