Premier League preview: Chelsea v Stoke

Chelsea caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo knows victory against Stoke City on Saturday is crucial to achieving the club’s aim.

The Stamford Bridge outfit are hell-bent on finishing in the top four to make next season’s UEFA Champions League.

They currently sit fifth on the table and have to travel to table-toppers Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool before the end of a tumultuous season.

That means three points are a must when ninth-placed Stoke visit west London in the English Premier League meeting on Saturday.

“For us, it’s vital to finish fourth in the table,” Di Matteo said after the club’s 2-0 win at Birmingham City in an FA Cup fifth-round replay on Tuesday.

“We don’t like where we are in the table and it’s going to be tough to achieve what we are trying to achieve.”

“That (fourth) is the target. If we can win a cup or two on the way, then that’s a benefit.”

Di Matteo dedicated Tuesday’s win at St Andrew’s – which came thanks to second-half goals from Juan Mata and Raul Meireles – to the club’s former manager Andre Villas-Boas.

And he denied suggestions of unrest among the Chelsea camp, adding: “We are a happy family. Tonight everybody is happy.”

Chelsea captain John Terry returned to his side’s squad on Tuesday but sat on the bench for the entire match as he recovers from a knee injury, while Ashley Cole (ankle) could make a return for the visit of Stoke.

The last two matches between the sides have ended in draws, but Chelsea have won all three Premier League meetings at Stamford Bridge, with a 7-0 win in April 2010 the highlight.

Stoke have not won at Chelsea since April 1974 and will feel quietly confident after successive home wins against Norwich City and Swansea City.

They have no major injury worries and will face a Chelsea side low on confidence.

And that means they could spring a surprise when the two sides meet on Saturday.