Stoke free-kick. Peter Crouch in the area...

Trevor Sinclair
Ex-Man City & West Ham winger on Final Score

Chelsea have started well, they look to be moving the ball about quickly.

Diego Costa hasn't quite got involved yet, but Stoke have got it all to do.

Image source, Reuters

A huge header from defender David Luiz denies Ryan Shawcross a free nod on goal from a left-wing Stoke free-kick.

Chelsea had those half chances earlier but haven't quite found their rhythm yet.

Here's a different view...

Makky Hall: I can't see anyone else winning it to be honest. No European distraction. Doubt they will bother with the FA Cup as the league is far more valuable.

Tom Dodds: Would be rubbish if they won. Boring style and team.

Franky Babel: As a Liverpool fan I think Chelsea will win it, they look the part and Costa is a beast of a player.  

Chelsea's first big-gish chance.

Eden Hazard jinks past a couple of players and fires a low bobbler which comes off defender Bruno Martins Indi and goes out for a corner.

From the resulting set-piece N'Golo Kante - back after suspension - rolls a shot (can you do that?) which makes keeper Lee Grant panic a little more than he should have. It trickles past the post.

And here are those line-ups again...

Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Willian, Hazard, Costa. Subs: Begovic, Ivanovic, Zouma, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Batshuayi, Chalobah.

Stoke: Grant, Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters, Allen, Adam, Diouf, Afellay, Shaqiri, Crouch. Subs: Bardsley, Whelan, Bony, Imbula, Given, Krkic, Sobhi. 

Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire) 

Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger at Stamford Bridge for 5 live Sport

Image source, Reuters

Chelsea are playing so well and have an incredible confidence about them. I can't think of a single player who is struggling - it's rare to look at a team and see not one man who is out of form.

Stoke's formation is trying to match Chelsea's - they have three centre-backs and a pair of wing-backs. The aim I suppose is also to try to allow Xherdan Shaqiri to get forward and support Peter Crouch.

Stoke winger Ibrahim Afelay - who makes his first start since April - gets down the left and plays the ball into the area, but it's easily cut out. A somewhat heartening moment for both Stoke and the player.

The men in red and white get us under way.

John Motson
Match of the Day commentator

Image source, Reuters

If Chelsea do secure a record-equalling 13th successive top-flight win, they are guaranteed to head into 2017 in an even more commanding position because their two nearest challengers, Liverpool and Manchester City, must face each other later in the day.

Antonio Conte's side look so strong - consider the fact that key pair Diego Costa and N'Golo Kante weren't missed on Boxing Day when they sat out the victory over Bournemouth because of suspension.

You wouldn't give Stoke much chance. Their season has fallen into three parts: a poor start, resurgence and now no win in four.

It tells you something that midfielder Joe Allen is their top scorer with five goals. Manager Mark Hughes may well try and find a solution in the transfer window.

Alex Bruce
Hull City defender on Final Score

Image source, Reuters

Chelsea look unstoppable at the moment, and they are a team full of match-winners. Stoke's biggest problem today might be keeping Eden Hazard quiet, but the form he's in I can't see it happening. 

I think it'll be a Blues win today, despite how well-drilled Stoke will doubtlessly be.

The January transfer window is about to open - but which Premier League side will do the best bit of business this time?

BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson looks at each top-flight side and examines who they need to sign, or whether they need to put down the shutters to fend off bids for their best players.

Have a read here.

Image source, Getty Images

Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger at Stamford Bridge for 5 live Sport

Image source, AP

Stoke have the capability to stop Chelsea's great run of form. They have enough good players in their squad, but they just haven't done anything consistently this season.

It's been really interesting how Chelsea started this season after their pre-season. Antonio Conte was desperate to play 4-4-2, but it never quite worked. But Conte learned the abilities of his players very, very quickly, and now his 3-4-3 team's working for him. He has players playing in slightly unexpected positions, but everyone's getting things right.

Trevor Sinclair
Ex-Man City & West Ham winger on Football Focus

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are a great team to watch, organised and disciplined but then attacking with intent. They play a system which really suits the players in their squad. 

Eden Hazard is really enjoying his football. He is better than he was two years ago and that's because he's matured as a player and has more experience in this league. He's come back after a disappointing season last year, and now he's playing at the top of his game.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa and defensive midfielder N'Golo Kante are back in the first XI following their one-match suspensions.

Nemanja Matic is on the bench and Pedro is suspended.

Chelsea XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Willian, Costa, Hazard.   

Image source, .

Stoke make three changes to their starting XI.

Attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay makes his first start since April. Charlie Adam and Xherdan Shaqiri are also back in the side. Glenn Whelan and Gianelli Imbula are on the bench and Jon Walters is not included in the squad.

Stoke XI: Grant, Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Diouf, Affelay, Adam, Pieters, Allen, Shaqiri, Crouch.

Image source, .

One player is making his first start since April...

Image source, Rex Features

OK. Now for some this hasn't been the greatest of 2016s. 

In fact, for some it's most probably the worst 2016 ever. Very much 'smh'.

However, it's not been a bad second half of 2016 for those who support the Chelsea boys in blue.

Conte's lads are going for a... wait for it... 13 consecutive wins in a single season. THIRTEEN.

That would equal the top flight record - emulating Preston North End and Sunderland in 1891-92 (what a memorable season that was!) and Arsenal in 2001-02.

So, who stands in their way of joining that trio?

It's Stoke. You have every right to shudder Chelsea fans... well, actually...

... you've won eight of the 11 league meetings at Stamford Bridge since 1974. It'll probably be 3-0.

Stay here to see Chelsea equal... I mean.. if Chelsea can equal the 'wins' record.

Go here for all the other NYE Premier League scores.