Stoke City v Chelsea

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Britannia Stadium Date: Saturday, 2 April Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Watch highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

TEAM NEWS

Stoke manager Tony Pulis will monitor the fitness of striker John Carew, who has been suffering with a back injury.

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has a similar problem, while Abdoulaye Faye is struggling with a hamstring strain.

Chelsea will check on the fitness of Salomon Kalou, who picked up a knock on international duty with Ivory Coast.

Yossi Benayoun made his comeback from a long-term Achilles injury in Israel’s win over Georgia in midweek but is unlikely to be risked here.

Stoke

Doubtful: Carew (back), Faye (hamstring), Sorensen (back)

Injured: Sidibe (Achilles)

Chelsea

Doubtful: Alex (knee), Benayoun (Achilles), Kalou (unspecified)

MATCH PREVIEW

With nine games to go and a nine-point deficit in the title race, every game is now a must-win for the champions, starting with this tricky assignment at the Britannia Stadium, where Stoke are unbeaten in 2011.

The fact we are playing Chelsea does not give us fear. On our own turf we believe we can beat any team Stoke defender Robert Huth

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have forced their way back into the title reckoning with three consecutive victories in March, and with a 100% Premier League record against Saturday’s opponents, the Blues will arrive in Staffordshire in confident mood.

The focus of attention will again be on Fernando Torres, who is still without a goal in Chelsea colours. The £50m striker’s barren run now stands at 10 matches for club and country – failure to score here would be his longest goal drought since a 17-match streak for Atletico Madrid in 2005.

Stoke can start to look above them in the table rather than over their shoulder following a priceless three points against Newcastle last time out. With their Premier League safety now all but assured, the Potters can turn their attention to achieving a first top-10 finish since 1975.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Chelsea have a 100% Premier League record against Stoke, winning all five previous encounters. They have won their last seven in all competitions.

• Florent Malouda has scored in his last three Premier League games against Stoke.

Stoke

• The Potters have lost their last six away league games but are unbeaten at home in 2011.

• They have failed to score in five of their last eight league outings.

• If selected, Andy Wilkinson will be making his 100th league appearance for Stoke.

• Stoke have scored 78% of their goals in the second half, the highest proportion in the top flight.

Chelsea

• In-form Chelsea have won six and lost just one of their last eight Premier League matches.

• They have dropped just four points from winning positions – a record matched only by Stoke.

• After a run of six Premier League games without a win away from home, Chelsea have now won three and lost none of their last four on the road.

• According to Opta statistics, Didier Drogba has fired in 39 shots on target this season, more than any other player in the top flight – but none since Fernando Torres joined the club.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Stoke

Huth: 8 goals (6 league); Walters: 8 goals (4 league); Jones: 7 goals (5 league)

Chelsea

Anelka: 16 goals (6 league);
Drogba & Malouda: 10 goals (9 league);
Kalou: 10 goals (7 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Peter Walton

Assistant referees: Adam Watts & Martin Yerby

Fourth official: Mark Clattenburg

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Stoke (W4-0 v Newcastle, h): Begovic, Wilson, Shawcross, Huth, Higginbotham, Pennant (Whitehead 80), Delap, Whelan, Etherington (Pugh 60), Jones (Fuller 88), Walters. Subs not used: Sorensen, Collins, Diao, Wilkinson.

Chelsea (W2-0 v Man City, h): Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Kalou (Zhirkov 77), Torres (Drogba 70), Malouda (Anelka 70). Subs not used: Turnbull, Mikel, Bosingwa, Ferreira.