Capital One Cup: Stoke seek more Mourinho misery in Chelsea clash

However, despite his troubles, Potters boss Hughes believes his managerial counterpart will see through such a current blip, coming into the defence of his next Capital One Cup rival.

“It’s a period he has the knowledge and understanding to address, and he’ll turn it around,” Hughes said. “I don’t think anyone thinks that he won’t.

“I don’t anticipate they’ll be in the position they are for too much longer. Chelsea have quality right throughout the club that will enable them to come through this moment I’m sure.

“He says it himself – he’s a top manager and he’s the best manager Chelsea have ever had, so why would they change?”

Blues stars must step up

Chelsea face Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool next weekend in a domestic duel which could ultimately decide Mourinho’s fate at Stamford Bridge, if speculation is to be believed, but the Portuguese boss will be in no hurry to rest his star players.

Despite many of last season’s pivotal title-winners enduring a poor campaign, the likes of Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas will need to be in fine form to overturn previous misery. Both were on target in this fixture last term and the former Belgian international is 7/4 to strike again in normal time.

Branislav Ivanovic is set to miss out through injury for the visiting Blues though, as well as Loic Remy, while Nemanja Matic is suspended after receiving two yellows cards in the loss to West Ham. Diego Costa could lead the line once again and he is 4/1 to open proceedings this time out.

Meanwhile, Charlie Adam was on the scoresheet in this fixture last term too, making him 11/2 to net again in 90 minutes, and Peter Crouch is 11/4 to add to his three career goals against Chelsea anytime.

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Coral’s top tip: Eden Hazard scores in 90 minutes @ 7/4