Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says he knows what to expect when his side face up to Stoke City in The FA Cup on Sunday.
The Blues boss still has fresh memories of the recent Premier League clash between the sides, in which Stoke beat the Premier League challengers at the Britannia Stadium last month.
And despite the Fourth Round tie being staged on home soil at Stamford Bridge with his team being favourites to progress, the former Real Madrid chief has prepared the squad for a severe physical test from Mark Hughes’ team.
Chelsea v Stoke City
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Fourth Round Proper
3.30pm, Sunday 26 January
Stamford Bridge
Winners receive £90000
Live on ITV
“We lost against them and it wasn't a long time ago,” said Mourinho.
“They are a difficult team; very physical, very direct, strong at set pieces and they will come to compete - I expect a difficult match.”
The Portuguese has always been a keen competitor in The FA Cup, and was the first winning manager at the new Wembley back in 2007 when he led Chelsea to an extra-time victory over Manchester United.
And after a busy week in the transfer market this week, with both a number of ins and outs, his team selection on Sunday will reflect his ambition to progress.
“I will play with a strong team and not make big changes because we want to go as far as possible in the competition,” he added, before revealing that striker Fernando Torres will be absent through injury.
Mourinho speaks to the media ahead of their FA Cup tie with Stoke.
“It's not a surgery situation, thankfully,” he explained.
“But also it's not just a little strain, it's a lateral ligament injury and it will take this week, and I would say another three weeks.”
Defender Branislav Ivanovic also echoes his manager’s thoughts on the tie, having been a regular in the Chelsea squads who have enjoyed sustained FA Cup success in the last few years.
“The FA Cup is always interesting, that's true,” said the Serbian.
“It's a difficult competition because every team plays with a different feeling. Over the years we have seen that.
“We have to be focused right, better than we were for the league game against Stoke.
“It's very important to be on the top of our game and try to win it.”
