The Potters travel to Chelsea this Sunday evening in a game that sees two sides who are looking at different futures. Stoke are on the ascent and have gone from strength to strength in 2010 and Chelsea are also flying, even with a plethora of injuries, top of the league and set for a very exciting season finale. Stoke have a decent away record this season and although they have only won twice, at Spurs and Pompey, they have only been beaten five times. Chelsea lost to Manchester City last week, their first home defeat in 38 games, and have eighteen wins from twenty one home games this season. In the 38 matches between these sides at Chelsea, the Potters have won 8, the hosts 19 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. Overall Stoke have 27 wins to Chelsea's 35. The referee is Martin Atkinson. The official last took charge of Stoke in the 3-1 4th round victory over Arsenal in January. He has also refereed the 2-1 win over West Ham and home defeat to Birmingham in December. He has refereed Chelsea twice this season, a 1-0 home win against Manchester United and 2-0 home win over Liverpool. Prediction: The Potters strike early from Ricardo Fuller and, even though the hosts equalise after half time, hold on to secure a replay
Stoke sit 11th in the Premier League and are near enough certain to secure another season of top flight football and this the clubs first FA Cup quarter final in 38 years. Chelsea are ahead at the top of the Premier League, and still in Europe, and will be hoping to retain the FA Cup they won last season when they defeated Everton in the final. Even with all their recent trips to the national stadium they will still be hoping for another memorable day out at Wembley.
The Met Office report that it will be sunny, temperatures of 3 degrees celsius, very good visibility and a 16 mph wind.