Premier League preview: Stoke v Chelsea

Chelsea need all three points from their trip to Stoke City if they are to have any chance of retaining the English Premier League title.

A terrible run of form mid-season appeared to have cost the reigning champions any chance of defending their crown.

But three consecutive wins in the league, including a 2-1 victory over leaders Manchester United, puts the West London club in with a slim hope.

They are nine points behind United, but have played one match fewer and still have a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson’s team to come at Old Trafford in May.

Stoke meanwhile are 10th on the table. With 37 points and eight matches left to play, they should not find themselves in danger of relegation.

Nevertheless, they are a less-than-comfortable five points above the drop zone, meaning manager Tony Pulis will demand that his team try to take something out of all of their remaining matches, particularly at home.

Pulis has close to a full squad of players to choose from, with Mamady Sidibe – who is out for the season with an Achilles injury – the only long-term absentee.

Defender Abdoulaye Faye is nearing a return from a hamstring problem, but striker John Carew remains in doubt.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is equally fortunate, with Yossi Benayoun, who is a nearing a return from a serious Achilles injury, the only member of the Blues squad with a long-term issue.

Brazilian defender Alex will soon be available after recovering from a knee injury.

Both sides come into Saturday’s match on the back of wins.

Chelsea beat immediate rivals Manchester City 2-0 at home in their last match, while Stoke hammered Newcastle 4-0 at home, the first time Pulis’ side have score four goals in the top flight.

In the first meeting between the teams earlier this season, Chelsea won 2-0 at home in August.