The majority of Chelsea fans, it seems, are standing by José Mourinho.

But is there anyone else out there a little fatigued by his celebrity style of management?

Call it deflection tactics if you like, a way of taking the pressure off the players, but the media’s obsession with the paranoid, self-centred Portuguese often flits over the main reason we all turn on our television — the game.

Get beat by Liverpool and he stamps his feet and refuses to talk; beat Dynamo Kiev and you can’t shut him up.

Chelsea were half-decent in midweek, nothing more but the aftermath remained essentially about one thing — Mourinho. Like a stroppy infant, it’s all about him.

The fans’ orchestrated show of support should feed his ego in the short term, and his pedigree is beyond question, but the real issue remains on the pitch where his team remain unconvincing. Where, for example, is last season’s player of the year Eden Hazard?

Their performance at Stoke will provide more information on whether a revival is really on the cards.

11am kick off unless stated

Tomorrow’s games

Bournemouth v Newcastle

8.45am

Despite a large dollop of goodwill, injuries and defeats appear to have rocked Bournemouth’s confidence. However, the club’s sense of togetherness is something Newcastle can only dream of, although if Steve McClaren’s side can hold it together, their midfield quality should tell.

Prediction: 1-2

Leicester City v Watford

Both teams come into this match on the back of two straight wins, making this a tough one to call. However, Leicester have picked up ten points from a possible 15 at home.

Jamie Vardy will have to break through the second-best defence in the league if he is to score for the ninth successive match in a row.

Prediction: 2-0

Man United v West Brom

While many, quite understandably, are getting irked by United’s lack of goals and creativity, it’s easy to overlook their defensive strength.

This week they have a rival on that front in Tony Pulis’s well-drilled — read dull — West Bromwich Albion side.

United have conceded just one goal at home in the league this season while West Brom have shipped just two on the road.

That means it will probably be an eight-goal thriller at Old Trafford tomorrow, although I doubt it.

Prediction: 2-0

Norwich City v Swansea City

Norwich are on a slide but Swansea don’t appear to be in the right place to take advantage. Deadlock.

Prediction: 1-1

Sunderland v Southampton

Off the back of conceding six at Goodison Park, Sam Allardyce must be wondering what he’s let himself in for. Defensive improvement is a must for the North East strugglers.

Prediction: 2-3

West Ham United v Everton

Andy Carroll, him of silky footwork, has the chance to make up for inexplicably trying a Cruyff turn inside his own penalty area last week.

However West Ham, who were so bad against Watford, face a sharp Everton team. Romelu Lukaku has taken a liking to West Ham in the past. Slaven Bilic, you have been warned.

Prediction: 1-2

Stoke City v Chelsea

1.30pm

Was the midweek Champions league win the start of a Chelsea recovery? Not so sure. They are improving, no doubt, but in stages. This will be tricky and Stoke dumped the Londoners out of the Capital One Cup recently.

Prediction: 1-1

Sunday’s games

Aston Villa v Manchester City

9.30am

Easy start for new manager Rémi Garde who must have some serious self-belief to take the helm at a club that, at its best, is stuck in apathetic malaise.

City are on a high after their best Champions League performance at Sevilla.

Prediction: 0-3

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

Noon

Not many teams would have been able to live with Bayern in Germany — especially with the injuries. That said, it wasn’t ideal preparation for the North London derby against their rivals, who have been mighty impressive this season. A real test of Arsène Wenger’s team’s resolve.

Prediction: 2-1

Liverpool v Crystal Palace

Noon

If the home side can recover in time after their trip to Russia last night, then this is another chance to put another foot forward in the Jürgen Klopp era. Palace’s misfiring front line need to up their game if their team are to get anything out of this one.

Prediction: 2-0