Chelsea

 




Thibaut Courtois returns in goal and Diego Costa, rested at Derby, leads the attack. 
Cesc Fabregas is expected to again play in a more forward midfield position ahead of Nemanja Matic and John Mikel Obi, as in last Tuesday’s cup win. It is Mikel’s 250^th start for Chelsea.
Cesar Azpilicueta is the left-back with Gary Cahill returning as John Terry’s partner.
For Stoke City, there are two changes from their draw against Palace. Marc Muniesa comes into defence in place of Marc Wilson and Marko Arnautovic is preferred to Mame Diouf on the left wing.
Chelsea are expected to line up in the following 4-2-3-1 formation:
Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa.
Subs: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Ake, Schurrle, Oscar, Drogba. 
Stoke are expected to line-up in the following 4-2-3-1 formation:
Begovic; Bardsley, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters; Cameron, Nzonzi; Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic; Crouch.
Subs: Butland, Huth, Whelan, Wilson, Adam, Assaidi, Diouf.
The referee is Neil Swarbrick