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Chelsea want to get even for the last season defeat in Stoke

Stoke are a tough team who are not easy to outplay, but didn't have luck in lots of games this season. Chelsea are only thinking about the win because Manchester City are evened out with the leader

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Stoke won four points in the last two rounds, and recovered from a few unlucky defeats. But, coach Hughes isn't satisfied with the 13th place, and Stoke are worth of a higher placement with the roster they have.

A real test of Stoke's abilities will be tonight when they host the leading Chelsea. They'll gladly remember the last season when they defeated the London club for the first time in 12 since the Premier League came to existence. In the dramatic duel, Oussama Assaidi scored for 3-2 in the injury time, 90th minute.

- We begin the thick holiday schedule of games, which is a big challenge for all the clubs, but despite certain injury issues, I think our roster is wide enough to make us an even opponent to anyone - Stoke coach Mark Hughes said. He played 123 games for Chelsea and scored 39 goals, won the FA Cup, League Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup in his player days. 

- This is a special game for me, but also for all the players because we're hosting a leading team of the championship and know how good they are. But, we have our cards and won't show fear in this game - Hughes promised. 

The forward Odemwingie is still out, as well as the midfielders Moses and Sidwell. Ireland had problems with the injury, and Bojan Krkić recovered, he's easily been the best Stoke player in the last few duels.

- Krkić needed some time to adjust, he worked hard and started showing his huge potential. He became a leader in the team, and we needed a player like that because he can create an extra situation and decide things with his moves - Hughes concluded. He'll probably need the max from all his players, and he probably won't change the starting eleven from the last duel against Crystal Palace, which ended 1-1. It's a bad sign for Stoke that they conceded at least one goal in every of the last 10 league duels.

Chelsea quickly forgot about their first defeat in the season in Newcastle, and defeated Hull in the championship, and Derby County in the League Cup, getting to the semifinals. With the goalie Curtois's recovery, and the finished suspension of the best assistant of the league, Fabregas, Jose Mourinho can rely on all his players. No need to mention how badly they want to get even for the last year's defeat on the Britannia stadium.

It was the only duel out of the last six in the league against Stoke where Chelsea conceded a goal, and also won four times. Generally speaking, Chelsea's got perhaps the strongest team compared to the previous seasons, and suffice it to say that they now have Diego Costa, Fabregas, Drogba and Matić.

- The away game in Stoke is traditionally one of the physically most demanding duels, because Stoke play aggressive and firm football. It changed a bit this season, so it looks more beautiful and efficient now, but they're still the same clever team, very dangerous in the game breaks, and with the balls going on the tall Crouch - Mourinho explained what kind of game he expects. He believes his players will know how to deal with it, though:

- We deserved to lose here last year because we made two big mistakes and conceded two goals, but the referee was good and didn't allow rough game. I expect the same this time, that the referee will protect the players from too much aggressiveness, and our plan is to play nice football and show our identity in the search for the win. We're not afraid of the physical aspect of this game, and the technical quality is on our side, which I believe will decide in the end - Mourinho is hoping. This game is extremely important for him because Manchester City had a series of wins and now have an even number of points on the league table. Chelsea need a win to get three points ahead.