Stoke come into this fixture after a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Watford in the last league clash. Troy Deeney and Almen Abdi’s goal helped Quique Sanchez Flores’ side seal three points.
Mark Hughes’ side progressed to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup after defeating Fulham 1-0 away from home. The defeat to Watford ended Stoke’s five match unbeaten run and they will be looking to bounce back when they face the Premier League champions.
Chelsea, on the other hand, enter this fixture after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham United. The match saw Nemanja Matic receive a second yellow card, which resulted in the Serbian being sent off in the first half.
Pressure is mounting on Jose Mourinho to help the Blues get back on top as they have managed only three wins in the league so far. In the third round of the Capital One Cup, the Stamford Bridge outfit sealed a 4-1 victory over Walsall. They are the holders and will be looking to beat Stoke to progress to the next round of the competition.
Arsenal travel to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.
Arsenal beat Sheffield Wednesday in the 1993 final after Steve Morrow’s double cancelled John Harkes’ opener and they will be hoping for a repeat performance to extend their winning run to five games.
However, Hillsborough is a ground that has not been kind to Arsenal on recent visits with the Gunners failing to record a victory in their last six visits, while Arsene Wenger has never tasted victory at the ground during his 19-year tenure at Arsenal.Wenger will be hoping to put that record right but to do so his side will have to beat a Sheffield Wednesday side who are currently on an unbeaten run of their own, having gone eight games with defeat in all competitions.
Everton are without Phil Jagielka for the visit of Norwich in the Capital One Cup after the defender was ruled out for two months with a knee injury.
Midfielder Gareth Barry is suspended following his red card at Arsenal, while goalkeeper Tim Howard will be replaced by his understudy Joel Robles.
Norwich boss Alex Neil will give starts to some of his fringe players.
Striker Dieumerci Mbokani (illness) is a doubt, while summer signing Youssouf Mulumbu could finally make his debut.
He has been suffering with a foot injury.
Everton were beaten 2-1 at Arsenal on Saturday, leaving them in 11th place in the Premier League after three matches without a win.
Norwich are 16th after the 1-0 home defeat by West Brom, having taken nine points from 10 games since returning to the top flight.
– See more at: http://myjoyonline.com/sports/2015/October-27th/capital-one-preview-chelsea-hope-to-relieve-pressure-off-mourinho-arsenal-face-tricky-test.php#sthash.OZHCDH7f.dpuf
