Chelsea Confirmed Lineup vs Stoke City: Costa, Kante return; Matic drops out

Premier League leaders Chelsea welcome back the in-form Diego Costa and midfield powerhouse N’Golo Kante back from suspension as the Blues host Stoke City at Stamford Bridge.

Cesc Fabregas has managed to keep his place in the starting lineup with Nemanja Matic dropping to the bench. Pedro misses out with suspension after picking his fifth yellow card in the win over Bournemouth on Boxing Day. Meanwhile, Kurt Zouma has made the matchday squad yet again.

Chelsea’s visitors Stoke City have former Blue Glen Johnson in the starting lineup, with Ibrahim Affelay, Charlie Adam and Xherdan Shaqiri all returning to the starting lineup.

Chelsea team today: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Diego Costa, Hazard. #CHESTK

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 31, 2016

Chelsea subs: Begovic, Zouma, Ivanovic, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Batshuayi. #CHESTK

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 31, 2016

Two changes for us with N’Golo Kante and Diego Costa returning from suspension in place of Nemanja Matic (bench) and Pedro (suspended).

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 31, 2016

? #SCFC Starting XI v @ChelseaFC: Grant; Johnson, Shawcross, M.Indi; Diouf, Afellay, Adam, Pieters; Allen, Shaqiri; Crouch. pic.twitter.com/eLgyPF01Rh

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) December 31, 2016

? #SCFC SUBS v @ChelseaFC: Given; Bardsley, Whelan, Bony, Imbula, Bojan, Ramadan.

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) December 31, 2016