Mourinho will dearly desire his 4th win in the EPL this season against a Stoke City side that also want the same thing. The home team are leading Chelsea with just a point and they are just placed 14th in the group, a position ahead of the 15th placed Chelsea team. Both teams will fight to the end in their pursuit of an higher position on the log, and Chelsea’s midweek win could inspire them to another victory after having suffered a 1 – 3 home defeat at the hands of Liverpool last weekend. With the coach still not decisive as per his permanent starting 11, changes are bound to occur to those that will earn the starting berth come Saturday, and Mourinho will likely make these 3 changes for what could be a career-decisive clash for him.
HAZARD STARTS WHILE OSCAR RETURNS TO THE BENCH
Oscar was fielded from the beginning against the Ukrainian side during the week and didn’t do much to secure the starting berth ahead of Hazard. The Belgian introduction later on saw him almost dictate the pace of the game single-handedly, and that could be the beginning of last season’s Eden Hazard. He will surely get the start against Stoke City with the Brazilian back on the substitutes bench.
IVANOVIC RETURNS TO THE LINEUP OVER RAHMAN
With the Serb skipper now fit to play, Baba will no doubt have to drop down in the pecking orders, as Ivanovic will be given a starting berth on the right whilst Cesar returns to the left. Mourinho has had to do with Zouma on the right of the defence with the absence of Ivanovic. Every defender returns to his position against Stoke.
COSTA AXED WHILE REMY LEADS THE ATTACK
Diego Costa was poor against Dynamo. His positioning was out of place, and he had only one clear cut chance, which he squandered as he chose to tumble with just the faintest of challenge. He will do better as a substitute on Saturday while Remy takes his place. The France international has shown some sparks of brilliance in the few playing time afforded him this season, and can prove the deciding factor against Stoke.