Petr Cech returns to the Chelsea team for a first appearance of 2013 after recovering from a groin injury, while Demba Ba starts for the first time in a Barclays Premier League game.
Cech has been out since suffering injury against Everton in our last game of 2012, while Ba replaces Fernando Torres as the lone striker. Elsewhere Frank Lampard is back in midfield and captains the side, while David Luiz drops back into defence. Ryan Bertrand will play on the left wing in place of Oscar, and John Terry is back in the matchday squad for the first time since November 11 after coming through Thursday night’s Under-21 fixture against Fulham at Cobham.
For Stoke, Tony Pulis switches to one up front, Kenwyne Jones on his own, with support from Jon Walters. Matthew Etherington comes into the side on the left. Former Chelsea man Robert Huth plays.
Chelsea are expected to line up in the following 4-2-3-1 formation:
1 Petr Cech
28 Cesar Azpilicueta
2 Branislav Ivanovic
4 David Luiz
3 Ashley Cole (c)
7 Ramires
8 Frank Lampard (c)
17 Eden Hazard
10 Juan Mata
34 Ryan Bertrand
29 Demba Ba
Substitutes: 40 Hilario, 19 Paulo Ferreira, 26 John Terry, 57 Nathan Ake, 11 Oscar 21 Marko Marin, 9 Fernando Torres.
Stoke are expected to line up in the following 4-3-3 formation:
Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross (c), Huth, Wilkinson; Walters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Etherington; Adam; Jones
Substitutues: Sorensen, Whitehead, Upson, Kightly, Crouch, Shotton, Jerome.
The referee is Andre Marriner.
Follow the game via our Live Matches tab from 2.30pm (UK time).