Ramires: Beating Manchester City important to Chelsea's title ambitions

Chelsea trail City by just three points as the Premier League title race hots up with the teams approaching the last third of the season.

And Ramires says his team-mates can take heart from their 2-1 home victory over title favourites City in October as Chelsea bid to break City's 100 per cent home record in the league this season.

"We all know that it's going to be a difficult game but we beat them at home, even if that was also a tough match," he said.

"We hope we can win on Monday because if we want to win the title it will be very important.

"Despite the fact it will be difficult, a victory there would be very sweet and we are going to give our very best."

Both sides had contrasting fortunes in the January transfer window with Chelsea leading the spending amongst English clubs and City failing to conclude deadline-day deals for Porto duo Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando.

Midfielders Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah both arrived at Stamford Bridge in January and Ramires has praised the pair.

"They are both very skilful and they are here to try to help us win titles," he said.

"Even though they've arrived midway through the season they can still be very important."

Salah, who could make his Chelsea debut on Monday, looked destined to end up at Liverpool before his mind was swayed by a personal phone call from Jose Mourinho.

He was caught up in controversy at Basel after refusing to shake hands with Maccabi Tel Aviv players in a Champions League qualifier last August.

He later had some anti-Israeli comments attributed to him but the Egypt international distanced himself from the furore and insisted he has no cross to bear with anyone.

"I am a footballer - I do not do politics," he said. "I respect everybody."

"It doesn't matter where they come from. I do not have a problem with anybody. I am here to play football and I will not speak about this again."