MATCHPREVIEW
Chelsea vs Stoke City
Saturday 28th August
Barclays Premier League
Stamford Bridge
Kick-Off 3.00pm

INTRODUCINGCHELSEA

THE reigning Barclays Premier League and FA Cup champions couldn't have kicked off the new campaign in more emphatic fashion.

Their  3-1 Community Shield defeat against Manchester United at Wembley earlier this month proved to be just a minor blip as they have bounced back in style by hitting both West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic for six.

Didier Drogba has continued from where he left off last season by grabbing a hat-trick in the opening day demolition of the newly promoted Baggies; his second successive three goal haul, whilst other regular goalscorers Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard have also already got off the mark.

Whilst the Blues lost several key players during the summer in the shape of Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Ricardo Carvalho, Juliano Belletti and Deco, they have added the likes of Yformer Liverpool star Yossi Benayoun and Brazilian midfielder Ramires to their squad.

Add them to the plethora of stars already plying their trade at Stamford Bridge, and it is easy to see why the Blues have once again been installed as favourites to retain their league crown. They will however, be hoping to fare better on the european stage having slipped out of the competition in disappointing fashion last season.

No team from London has ever won the European Cup, but don't bet against Ancelotti's side bringing an end to that record this season, especially if they can carry on the form which has seen them storm their way back to the top of the Premier League.

MEETTHEGAFFER

AS was proven last season, Chelsea couldn't have wished for a more experienced manager at the helm when it comes to winning trophies as Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian won one Serie A titles as a player during his time at AS Roma but it was at AC Milan where Ancelotti has had his main success as both a player and a manager.

Ancelotti won two Serie A titles as well as back-to-back European Cup titles at the San Siro, where he would see out his playing career.

After managing Reggiana and Parma, it was when he rejoined Milan as a manager, where he would first demonstrate his true managerial potential.

Inheriting a recently trophyless team, Ancelotti impressively guided his side to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in his first full season in charge.

Ancelotti then went onto lead Milan to Champions League glory in the following season, as well as the Coppa Italia.They then won the Scudetto a year later and would go on to claim another Champions League title, two Super Cup's and a FIFA Club World Cup.

The Italian then left the San Siro at the end of last season and joined Chelsea a day later and achieved instant success by claiming the Community Shield at the beginning of this season.

Despite being knocked out by Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League, Chelsea bounced back to complete a magnificent domestic double, having ousted Manchester United to win the league by two points, before wrapping up the campaign by landing the FA Cup; beating Portsmouth 2-0.

FASTFACTS

*The Blues won 17 of their 19 league games at Stamford Bridge last season, losing just the once to Manchester City.
*They have scored an incredible 29 goals in their last five games, without conceding.
*In 2004/2005, Chelsea set a top flight record by conceding the fewest league goals in a season, just 15.
*The Blues also set an English record by going 86 games unbeaten at home between 2004 and 2008.

CLUBDETAILS

Founded: 1905
Nickname: The Blues
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Capacity: 41,841
Owner: Roman Abramovich
Chairman: Bruce Buck

HEAD2HEAD

League- Played 72, Won 22, Drew 16, Lost 34
FA Cup- Played 4, Won 1, Drew0, Lost 3
League Cup- Played 7, Won 4, Drew 3, Lost 2
Total- Played 83, Won, 27, Drew 19, Lost 37

FORMGUIDE (league)

Stoke City - DWLLL

Stoke 0-0 Everton (01-05-2010)
Fulham 0-1 Stoke (05-05-2010)
Manchester United 4-0 Stoke (09-05-2010)
Wolves 2-1 Stoke (14-08-2010)
Stoke 1-2 Tottenham (21-08-2010)

Chelsea - WWWWW

Chelsea 7-0 Stoke (25-04-2010)
Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea (02-05-2010)
Chelsea 8-0 Wigan Athletic (09-05-2010)
Chelsea 6-0 West Brom (14-08-2010)
Wigan Athletic 0-6 Chelsea (21-08-2010)

MATCHOFFICIALS

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Linesmen: P. Kirkup & P. Keane
Fourth Official: P. Walton

BETTINGNEWS

City are priced at a massive 22/1 to pull off a shock and secure all three points, with Chelsea installed as clear favourites at 1/9. The draw is priced at 8/1.