Stoke City vs Chelsea preview: Jose Mourinho serves stadium ban as struggling Blues hope to bounce back

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at the Britannia Stadium

Jose Mourinho is banned from entering the Britannia Stadium before, during and after Saturday's game (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Jack Butland: The Stoke City goalkeeper has been in outstanding form this season and is putting increasing pressure on Joe Hart as England’s number one. He’s kept four consecutive clean sheets away from home, the first time that feat was achieved by the club since 2004. He’s conceded in every game at the Britannia Stadium this year, however, and will want to change that in this one.

Best stat…

10 in 14: Chelsea have kept 10 clean sheets in the past 14 meetings between these two in all competitions since 2010. It was even bleaker for the Potters, but they’ve scored in the last two games, Charlie Adam’s wonderful strike from inside his own-half in April and Jon Walters’ stunning volley in the Capital One Cup eleven days ago.

Remember when…

Chelsea put seven past Stoke at Stamford Bridge with Salomon Kalou netting a hat-trick as they continued to march on to their 3rd Premier League title. Frank Lampard also scored a brace, as well as goals from Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda in the last five minutes as the away side succumbed to an embarrassing margin of defeat.

Player to watch…

Willian: Easily Chelsea’s best player this season, Willian was outstanding once again in midweek as he single-handedly gave his side a massive boost with a 2-1 win against Dynamo Kyiv. He set up the first goal with a perfect cross and then scored with another absolute gem of a free-kick.

Past three-meetings…

Stoke City 1 (Walters) Chelsea 1 (Remy)
Stoke won 5-4 on penalties, League Cup, October 2015

Chelsea 2 (Hazard pen, Remy) Stoke City 1 (Adam)
Premier League, April 2015

Stoke City 0 Chelsea 2 (Terry, Fabregas)
Premier League, December 2014

Form guide…

Stoke City: WWWLDD

Chelsea: WDLDLW

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 5.30pm, Saturday, 7 November

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 from 5pm, Highlights on BBC1 from 11pm