Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has admitted that it will not be easy for his side to defeat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Potters will head to London for their fifth Premier League game of the season on the back of a 1-1 draw with defending English champions Manchester City at home last weekend.
"The next three away games now are Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United," he said. "The lads' application has been absolutely first class and it will need to be the same against the champions of Europe.
"We know it's going to be tough. They are a very, very good side. People are playing it down and said they were lucky to win the Champions League.
"That's nonsense. It is such a tough competition to win, probably the most difficult in the world."
Pulis added that he attended Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Juventus at home in the Champions League on Wednesday.
"I went to the game on Wednesday and Chelsea were unfortunate," he said. "We could have been talking about a deserved victory."
Stoke are currently 12th in the league table, while Chelsea are in pole position.
