Petr Cech: Chelsea won't win title, but can pinch second spot from Manchester City

Petr Cech (AP)

Petr Cech believes Chelsea are capable of overhauling Manchester City and laying claim to second spot behind Manchester United, the Premier League leaders.

Rafael Benitez's side travel to the Etihad Stadium tomorrow four points adrift of City and goalkeeper Cech said: "Second place is more than possible for us. We just need to have a good run of results. If we win those games obviously we will have a chance of second. To win the league we are maybe too far away. It would need a meltdown from Manchester United, but it depends on them."

Benitez himself maintains Chelsea are now a more formidable side than the one that played out a scoreless draw with the reigning champions in November in his first game in charge, despite a chequered run of results.

"We have to go there with confidence and if we are close we can fight for being in the top two," Benitez said. "We are confident we can beat City or anyone if we do things in the right way. The race for the top four will go on until the end of the season."

Benitez will make changes from the side that advanced into the last 16 of the Europa League with Thursday's 1-1 draw with Sparta Prague. Fernando Torres is expected to make way for Demba Ba after missing a succession of chances against the Czech side. John Terry could also be dropped, with Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz in line for recalls.