Chelsea striker Didier Drogba believes home advantage could be crucial as the Blues look to win their first Premier League title since 2006.
Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently one point ahead of Manchester United with three games left, the first of which is against 11th placed Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Chelsea have dropped just five points at home in their 17 league games to date, something the Ivorian believes should give them confidence ahead of Stoke's visit — but not arrogance.
"We have done well at home," Drogba told the club's official website.
"You never know what can happen, games are difficult now. Some teams are trying to save lives but some teams are playing for little and can enjoy themselves, and sometimes then you play better.
"It is going to be difficult — but it is up to us."
Drogba, the club's top scorer after a stellar individual campaign, believes that the crowd can have a big part to play in willing their team to victory, and has called upon them to deliver the atmosphere that has helped on big occasions in the past.
"We need the fans to be really behind us, to be even better than against Bolton [where they won 1-0] in the last game," he said.
"Sunday is the kind of game that we are going to have until the end of the season so we need them to be patient and to really shout and sing and be supportive, that is the only way to win it.
"I remember the games when we were champions, like against Charlton the game after we won it in 2005, and against Manchester United the next year. The atmosphere was amazing, and also on the Champions League nights against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
"These are the kind of atmosphere from the Chelsea supporters when it matters, and now it matters. It is important for them to be there and help us to achieve it."
Drogba's participation is unsure, however, thanks to a hernia injury. But his goals this season have seen the Ivorian come in at No.6 on the Castrol Rankings, making him the Premier League's third best forward behind Fernando Torres (5) and Wayne Rooney (3).
Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently one point ahead of Manchester United with three games left, the first of which is against 11th placed Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Chelsea have dropped just five points at home in their 17 league games to date, something the Ivorian believes should give them confidence ahead of Stoke's visit — but not arrogance.
"We have done well at home," Drogba told the club's official website.
"You never know what can happen, games are difficult now. Some teams are trying to save lives but some teams are playing for little and can enjoy themselves, and sometimes then you play better.
"It is going to be difficult — but it is up to us."
Drogba, the club's top scorer after a stellar individual campaign, believes that the crowd can have a big part to play in willing their team to victory, and has called upon them to deliver the atmosphere that has helped on big occasions in the past.
"We need the fans to be really behind us, to be even better than against Bolton [where they won 1-0] in the last game," he said.
"Sunday is the kind of game that we are going to have until the end of the season so we need them to be patient and to really shout and sing and be supportive, that is the only way to win it.
"I remember the games when we were champions, like against Charlton the game after we won it in 2005, and against Manchester United the next year. The atmosphere was amazing, and also on the Champions League nights against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
"These are the kind of atmosphere from the Chelsea supporters when it matters, and now it matters. It is important for them to be there and help us to achieve it."
Drogba's participation is unsure, however, thanks to a hernia injury. But his goals this season have seen the Ivorian come in at No.6 on the Castrol Rankings, making him the Premier League's third best forward behind Fernando Torres (5) and Wayne Rooney (3).
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