So here we are! The first game of the 2011/ 2012 season. Neither team will have relished the prospect of drawing the other, even given Chelsea's recent unbeaten record at the Britannia. Lots to look forward to - The Potters have just qualified for Europe having beaten Hadjuk Split in both legs of their qualification round, and Chelsea are looking to rejuvenate thenselves with a new management team. Historically Chelsea haven't lost on the first game of the season for the last twelve years, winning 11 and drawing one but that is of no consequence once the whistle blows at 13:30 on Sunday. I will be there, and I am looking forward to a tough match between two teams that have a lot to prove to themselves and the rest of the football world. Enjoy all, and good luck
Fantastic, just what we have waited weeks for. What I love about these games is that every team playing can say they are going into the game unbeaten I think TP has done a great job at Stoke and wish all the Potters a great year starting next week.
Yes looking forward to this one big time lads, great opener and last seasons match was a corker! All the best for the season, after tomorrow that is!
Really looking forward to the game, though I dont think we could have been given a tougher start to be honest. Stoke are incredibly difficult to play against at their place, but we do have the players to combat their style of play. Passtheoatcakes, the only problem I see for your lot this season is coping with being in europe, I just hope for your sake Pulis doesnt put too much emphasis on it and causes you problems in the league.
Well being as we will have our 3rd choice R/B sitting on the bench to replace our only 2 forwards, i think we will be VERY VERY HAPPY with a 0-0
Really excited about Sunday's game. My head say's we will probably get battered as I just can not see Torres, if fit on Sunday? not having a great season for Chelsea. Our draw at home last season was a fantastic game and the same result on Sunday would be fantastic. We do start with nothing to lose and I hope we just go for the 3pts. I love watching Chelsea play but, not agasint the Potter's. I hope Torre's has a mare and we play way above ourselves. Either way, good luck to Chelsea after Sunday of course. Sell out crowd and it will be rocking!
It will be an interesting start to our campaign and probably one of the toughest! Can see them being right up for it with a new manager! Hope we have a go, given that a draw would be a fantatstic result for us anyway.
I agree... this is a cracking start to the season and what an opener at the brit! im sure the atmosphere will be rocking but im confident we can grab the points. anyway good luck to stoke for the season... i think you can challenge for a european place this season and lets hope we can get the title back!
13:30 Premier League: Stoke City FC - Chelsea FC Watch here!! http://p2ptvhd.blogspot.com/ or go directly to streams http://p2ptvhd.umforum.net/h9-chelsea-1 - Zonein EN (HQ) http://p2ptvhd.umforum.net/h11-chelsea-2 - Zonein EN http://p2ptvhd.umforum.net/h13-chelsea-3 - CastAmp EN http://p2ptvhd.umforum.net/h15-chelsea-4 - Veetle PT http://p2ptvhd.umforum.net/h17-chelsea-5 - CastAmp EN
Stoke City Formation: 4-4-2 Starting XI --Begovic-- --Huth--Shawcross--Woodgate--Wilson-- --Pennant--Whelan--Delap--Etherington-- --Jones--Walters-- Substitutes Sorenson Pugh Collins Diao Whitehead Shotton Wilkinson Chelsea Formation: 4-3-3 Starting XI --Cech-- --Bosingwa--Alex--Terry--Cole-- --Ramies--Mikel--Lampard-- --Kalou--Torres--Malouda-- Substitutes Hilario Ferreira Ivanovic McEachran Benayoun Drogba Anelka