Chelsea have stuttered in their progress towards the Premier League title recently but Jose Mourinho’s side can take a significant step towards being crowned champions with victory over Stoke on Saturday.
The visit of Mark Hughes’ team to Stamford Bridge presents the Blues with the opportunity to consolidate their six-point lead at the top of the table.
And with second placed Manchester City having just seven matches, one less than Chelsea, to close the gap following the latest round of matches, a win will make the west Londoners even firmer favourites to bring the title to the Bridge for the first time since 2010.
However, Mourinho’s team have been less than convincing in their last two outings on home turf, exiting the Champions League on the away goals after a 2-2 draw with Paris Saint Germain before a fortunate 1-1 draw with Southampton.
And their final fixture before signing off for the international break produced a narrow 3-2 victory at struggling Hull, secured by a late Loic Remy goal and only after the leaders had squandered a two-goal first half lead.
– Chasing pack –
Hughes’ improved Stoke will provide another stern test and while Chelsea won the reverse fixture comfortably in December, City have the capacity to ruffle the feathers of the leading teams.
Fortunately for Mourinho’s side, none of the chasing pack have been able to maintain a level of consistency that would have allowed them to capitalise on recent slips, although Arsenal, playing earlier on Saturday, can reduce the gap to four points if they beat Liverpool.
Chelsea’s recent run has certainly ensured there is no risk of complacency at the Bridge and Mourinho may ultimately have cause to be grateful his side has not simply breezed through recent games.
Denying the title was already in the bag, left-back Filipe Luis said: “No, it’s really difficult. We have nine games, really difficult games. You know the Premier League is never easy.
“We have to be better than ever because these are coming with a lot of pressure, but I think we’re prepared to cope with the hard situation we have.
“The manager always says to us it’s not over. He never said anything else. He always asked for everybody to be focused and concentrated in the games and try to win everything we have.
“Of course, we have a chance to win the Premier League. Everyone wants to be there to try to help the team to win the league.”
Stoke manager Mark Hughes has set a long-term target of getting his club into the top six after agreeing a new four-year deal last week.
Hughes, whose team currently sit 10th and finished ninth last term, said: “We want to break the glass ceiling into the top eight – not this year, but that’s the hope in years to come.
“We’ll always strive to be higher than top eight. Last year we were ninth and Southampton were eighth so we came second in that mini-league.
“The challenge for us is to break in. It certainly won’t happen this year but the hope is that in seasons to follow we can break through the glass ceiling.
“The owners like what they’ve seen and want to move forwards again.”
Nigeria winger Victor Moses, on loan at Stoke from Chelsea, is ineligible to face his parent club.
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