Chelsea will be facing Manchester City at home this evening, and the clash between the two – probably strongest – Premier League sides has an extra meaning to it at this stage of the season.
Chelsea have the title to lose and are looking to maneuver their way back to safety following last Saturday’s upsetting defeat against Crystal Palace, while Manchester City are determined to keep the title race alive by avenging the Blues for the teams’ last meeting at the Etihad in December, when Diego Costa, Willian and Eden Hazard fired us to a stunning 3-1 away victory.
So, just like Diego Costa said ahead of tomorrow’s game, the match will be a six-point tie that could put City completely out of the title competition, or in the worst case scenario, bring them even closer to the top.
Antonio Conte’s men are currently just seven points ahead of their closest challengers Tottenham, and a win would be more than welcomed with just nine games left to play this season. But a real bounce back from last Saturday’s disappointing display is truly needed.
Match Details
Kick-off at 20.00 UK Time at Stamford Bridge. TV broadcast live from BT Sport 1.
Injury News
Chelsea will unfortunately be without their key man Victor Moses yet again, as he’s struggling to overcome a toe injury which also kept him on the sidelines over last Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace. Otherwise, Conte is expected to have the full pack available to play.
Guardiola on the other hand won’t have Gabriel Jesus, Ilkay Gundogan nor Bacary Sagna available for selection due to their long-term injuries.
One to watch
Leroy Sane – The pacey German international has been in a thriving form lately, as he has netted five times in his last eight appearances, also assisting three goals in the process. He was close to unstoppable against Arsenal last weekend, and the Blues defence will have to be very well aware of his abilities once the first whistle blows tomorrow.
The support of David Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling – with Sergio Aguero also on top of the midfield trio – only makes him and the whole City attack more dangerous, and conceding just once in the reserve fixture in December, Chelsea could even count themselves a bit lucky.
Recent form
Chelsea: L W W W W (Goals for: 9 Goals against: 5)
Man City: D D L W D (Goals for: 6 Goals against: 6)
Previous meetings
Manchester City 1 – 3 Chelsea (Cahill OG; Diego Costa, Willian, Hazard) – December 2016, Premier League
Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City (Aguero x3) – April 2016, Premier League
Chelsea 5-1 Manchester City (Diego Costa, Willian, Cahill, Hazard, Traore; Faupala) – February 2016, FA Cup
Match Prediction
Despite Chelsea’s better form on overall, the pace has made a drastic drop recently and the latest league defeat against Palace has only put more pressure on top of the Chelsea men’s shoulders. City’s hunger for a revenge and desire to qualify for next season’s Champions League is also very strong which is likely to make things ever more difficult for the Blues tomorrow night. Therefore I’m predicting a tight 1-1 draw, with goals from Hazard and Aguero to share the points at the Bridge.
