CHELSEA v STOKE CITY
Football : English Premier League
Saturday, August 28th 2010 - Start 3:00PM GMT

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Oh c'mon, you're playing on Easy mode!!!

CHELSEA

Let's face it, Chelsea are p*ssing off everyone not wearing a Chelsea shirt, and they are doing it well. They've dealt with their 2 weaker opponents in ruthless fashion, winning 6-0 twice to open their season and top the table. Stoke City do not look like a change in quality, and I fear for the side from somewhere up north on their trip to the big Smoke.

Last season this fixture ended 7-0 to Chelsea, and Tony Pulis won't have forgotten that. Revenge is out of the question as I think it will be a case of trying to not lose by too big a margin. Understandably, Chelsea are priced at 1.15 favourites.

Drogba, who is now 32 would you believe, is playing like a young star who's just peaked at the age of 20, and while most of us wished he would have been taken to Madrid by Mourinho, the reality is he will remain in England to torment the other 19 sides in the table in his own inimitable irritating style.

A hat-trick on opening day, Drogba then showed his maturity in helping others score in the next game instead of being selfish. It's the kind of thing Henry was famous for at Arsenal and it helped with his pitch partnerships and he received as much as he gave due to this attitude. Drogba has always been a top talent, but is now thinking like the very best. Who would bet against him scoring a brace here?

STOKE CITY

Lying 18th in this early stage of the season, Stoke are going to the wrong ground to try and move out of the relegation zone (does it even exist this early?) Pulis will quietly know his team are going to lose their 3rd straight game, after missing their chances against West Brom and Sp*rs, so will try and limit the damage.

Kenwyn Jones is a new boy at the club, and after missing the last game with a minor knock he looks set to partner Ricardo Fuller up front. Tuncay also looks like he might feature, perhaps as a substitute, as he caused the Tottenham defence problems last week.

On tactics, Stoke will know they can't afford to go toe to toe with Chelsea. They will get hit on the break and played off the park. Perhaps a lone striker, with the others doing their best impression of a team bus? I don't know. If all fails they can always get Ryan Shawcross to do his thing on Drogba.

BETTING VERDICT

You know that annoying friend that you never want to play Pro Evo with because he's infuriatingly good and then insists on watching all the replays while asking you to appreciate what he did on that last move?

That's Chelsea right now. Stoke will be glad when the clock strikes 5.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Chelsea to win by a bunch

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Chelsea to score in both halves @ 1.50 (Bet365) - MAIN BET