Staring down the double barrels of Didier Drogba and Co. could be a perfect pick-me-up for a "devastated" City. So says Shay Given, who will be prime target for the sharp-shooting Premier League leaders in Saturday's lunchtime showdown at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues keeper feels that the challenge of taking on Carlo Ancelotti's relentless side may be the ideal way to lift the cloud of gloom created by Wednesday's FA Cup fifth round replay defeat at Stoke.

That may sound like a man whistling in the face of a hurricane as Chelsea have gone 24 Premier League games without defeat at home and 38 in all competitions.

That remarkable run stretches back to November, 2008, when a double from Arsenal's Robin van Persie unhinged Luiz Felipe Scolari's side.

City have the second-best record in the top flight, their unbeaten league run at 16 games, and 23 in all competitions.

But Given is only too aware that the Blues need to sharpen up their away form if they are to stay in the hunt for that precious fourth place.

They have won just once in the last 11 trips away from home in the league - but Given sees no reason to believe that they can end that dismal run at the home of the leaders.

"Some people might see Chelsea as the worst game we could have in the circumstances, but I think it might be the best," said the 33-year-old keeper, who has skippered the side for the last two matches, in the absence of injured club captain Kolo Toure.

"We know it's going to be a tough game. Chelsea have great qualities all over the pitch and we will have to be on top of our game.

"But we have already beaten them at home this season. I know it's a different story going to Stamford Bridge, but I think it's better to play in a big game after a huge disappointment.

Architect

"If we can bring the points back, it would give everyone a huge lift."

City go to the capital buoyed by that 2-1 defeat of Chelsea at Eastlands in December. And the architect of that win, Carlos Tevez, who curled in the winner from a free kick, is expected to join up with the rest of the squad today after flying back from Argentina.

That win added to a league and Carling Cup double over Arsenal, and a cup victory over United, while the other member of the traditional Big Four, Liverpool, had the worst of the two league draws between the clubs this season.

That was not lost on Given, but the fact that the wins have all come at home is also glaring.

"Sometimes this season we have played really well against the big teams, but we have to do that on a consistent basis, home and away," he said.

"Our home form has been pretty good, but we have slipped up a few times away - and tomorrow will be a really big test.

"The race for fourth place is as big as the race for the title, and we are very much in the mix.

"We have a game in hand on the teams around us, and it's important that we stay in there right until the death.

"It's getting to the crucial end of the season, and we need to get maximum points from as many games as we can."

Last week Gareth Barry leapt to the defence of manager Roberto Mancini, and now Given - who was very much a Mark Hughes admirer - has added his voice to that.

Over rumours of a split in the camp between Mancini and his players over training techniques, Given was adamant.

"There is no divide," he said. "We want to do the best for the club, and we went to Stoke determined to get through to the quarter-final.

"That didn't happen, but now we have the opportunity to go to Chelsea who are top of the league, and if we can beat them, or get a draw at least, it will keep us going for that fourth position.

"If we get any result, we can build on it and hopefully claim that Champions League place. That was the aim from the start, and that hasn't changed."

Given had a few fingers pointed at him after the defeat at Stoke, after his charge off his line failed to reach the ball, and Ryan Shawcross headed the home side into the lead early in extra time.

But the Republic of Ireland international said there were positives to glean from that disappointment, as well as lessons to be learned.

City fluffed first half chances for Craig Bellamy and Stevie Ireland, while Gareth Barry headed over from close range after the break.

Given said: "We didn't play all that badly at Stoke. They beat Arsenal in the last round, so the Britannia is not an easy place to go.

"We are devastated. It was a bitter blow to go out of the cup. We went there hoping to get through to the quarter-finals, so we are gutted and I'm sure the fans feel the same.

"It might have been different if we had taken our chances, but maybe we also didn't defend as well as we should have.

"At half time we were comfortable. I don't think 2-0 or 3-0 up at half time would have been an unfair scoreline. But football is a funny game and if you don't take your chance, a side like Stoke will always cause you problems.

"They did that, and us going down to 10 men didn't help either. But that's all excuses and ifs, buts and maybes, and the bottom line is that we are out of the FA Cup.

"It hurts, and we are gutted about it."

Shay Given was speaking at the launch of the BT Paralympic World Cup, which will take place in Manchester from May 25-31.

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