The Potters travel to Chelsea this Sunday evening in a game that could well go a long way to deciding the destination of the title. Stoke are on the ascent and have gone from strength to strength in 2010 and Chelsea are also flying and, even with major players missing through injuries and suspensions, are top of the league and set for a very exciting season finale.
Stoke sit 10th in the Premier League and have secured another season of top flight football and also reached the clubs first FA Cup quarter final in 38 years. Chelsea are a point ahead at the top of the Premier League and will be hoping to retain the FA Cup they won last season when they take on Portsmouth in the final.
Stoke have a decent away record this season and although they have only won three times, at Spurs, West Ham and Pompey, they have only been beaten five times. Chelsea lost to Tottenham last week and have twenty two wins from twenty six home games this season.
In the 39 matches between these sides at Chelsea, the Potters have won 8, the hosts 20 and eleven have been drawn. Last season when the pair clashed at Stamford Bridge the game ended 2-1 to Chelsea, with two injury time goals turning the game on its head, and the hosts also triumphed 2-1 in the league game at the Britannia Stadium earlier this season and 2-0 in an FA Cup quarter final at the Bridge earlier this season. Overall Stoke have 27 wins to Chelsea's 36.
The referee is Steve Bennett. The official last took charge of Stoke in the 3-1 FA Cup victory over Manchester City. He has also refereed the 3-0 win over Blackburn and 2-0 home win over Burnley. He has refereed Chelsea three times this season, a 3-0 home win against Birmingham, a 3-1 away win against Sunderland and 1-1 away draw at Blackburn.
The Met Office report that there will be sunny intervals, temperatures of a warm 21 degrees celsius, very good visibility and a slow 5mph wind.
Prediction: The Potters defence holds tight and in an Anfield-esque performance of September 2008, they blow the title race wide open again by holding out for a goalless draw.