The biggest match of the Premier League season so far is coming up on Saturday evening when current leaders Chelsea face reigning champions Manchester City. If the Blues win they will go eight points clear at the top of the table, if the Citizens win they will cut that lead to just two points.
Chelsea have qualified for the Capital One Cup final earlier this week after beating Liverpool, just a few days after the embarrassing defeat at the hands of Bradford City in the FA Cup. They have played an exhausting match over 120 minutes against Liverpool though, some players might feel fatigue after that effort. Moreover, Filipe Luis and Cesc Fabregas got injured during that game while Diego Costa might get banned after stamping on Emre Can.
Manchester City also were victims in the FA Cup weekend as they were defeated by Championship side Middlesbrough. The Citizens have not won any of their last three matches in all competitions. It might be a coincidence but they have not won a game since Yaya Toure left for the Africa Cup of Nations. Sergio Aguero's match fitness is not yet ideal but he might have to play given the importance of the match.
Probable line-ups:
Chelsea: Courtois - Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta - Mikel, Matic - Willian, Oscar, Hazard - Drogba
Man City: Hart - Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy - Fernandinho, Fernando - Silva, Lampard, Navas - Aguero
My prediction: Chelsea to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Chelsea win - 11/10 Draw - 5/2 Manchester City win - 14/5
timidi 9 years ago
To be honest I expected win for Chelsea but I watch this match and special in second half they were passive and they only care about how to defend their own goal. Mourinho had on mind only that one point and that is why Chelsea didn't win this match. City on the other hand played well, they needed win and they play like...
To be honest I expected win for Chelsea but I watch this match and special in second half they were passive and they only care about how to defend their own goal. Mourinho had on mind only that one point and that is why Chelsea didn't win this match. City on the other hand played well, they needed win and they play like that but chelsea have good defense and without Yaya Toure they are not City who can create many chances. But with this draw they both can be happy, it is still all open...
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h34dhunt3r
9 years ago
I expected tight game and thats what they delivered. It was fair for them to split points, eventho Chelsea could have taken it all. Thibaut Courtois made huge mistake and gave City's players chance for comeback, but that didnt happend.
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zebrazebr
9 years ago
Typical english derby match. The result is 1-1 with two nice goals bye Remy and David Silva. But in my opinion Manchester City would deserved the win they did much more for victory than Chelsea. City shots 10 times on target but from it 5 on goal. Opposite of it Chelsea shot only 3 times and from it only 2 on goal. Ghe...
Typical english derby match. The result is 1-1 with two nice goals bye Remy and David Silva. But in my opinion Manchester City would deserved the win they did much more for victory than Chelsea. City shots 10 times on target but from it 5 on goal. Opposite of it Chelsea shot only 3 times and from it only 2 on goal. Ghe possession was 43-57. City had 8 corners, Chelsea kicked 1 corner. Everybody can feel the difference. Two teams, two different kind of tactics. Fortunately i bet on draw on this match.
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seculla
9 years ago
What a match we'll watch in 20 minutes. This will be "clash of the titans" in Premier League and as sharpe said this game can be the answer of who will be champion this season question. If you ask me I think t hat Chelsea is better team right now and also they are playing at home on their Stamfort Bridge, so I think that...
What a match we'll watch in 20 minutes. This will be "clash of the titans" in Premier League and as sharpe said this game can be the answer of who will be champion this season question. If you ask me I think t hat Chelsea is better team right now and also they are playing at home on their Stamfort Bridge, so I think that Chelsea have more chances to win in this match. But we will see :D
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sharpe
9 years ago
This game will answer a lot of questions for the title in the Premier League. Obviously if Chelsea wins that one they will be almost certain champions. In any other case Manchester City will remain decent chances for the title, although I think this is a Chelsea's year. Hope to be a great one.
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kkole 9 years ago
This match could decide who will win Premier league this year. If Chelsea win I think that they have open road to title. But Chelsea show us they they are not unstoppable. Liverpool played great against them in Capital one cup and maybe deserve to go in final before Chelsea. But they face Manchester city who is without...
This match could decide who will win Premier league this year. If Chelsea win I think that they have open road to title. But Chelsea show us they they are not unstoppable. Liverpool played great against them in Capital one cup and maybe deserve to go in final before Chelsea. But they face Manchester city who is without their best player Yaya Toure. I think that City play 50% worse when Yaya Toure is not in the squad. So I wish that City do something and maybe win and get close to Chelsea on only two points but I am afraid that that is not going to happen.
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