This eagerly anticipated fixture will see two of the most tactically astute managers come together in what could land an early blow in the destination of the Premier League title.
Chelsea have won each of their last seven matches in the Premier League and are currently one-point clear of Manchester City ahead of Saturday’s early kick-off.
Antonio Conte’s side have only conceded one-goal in that time, meaning City will need to be at their best to break down Chelsea’s defence. Naijabet
City, meanwhile, have only kept two clean sheets all season and aren’t in their best moment despite being unbeaten in their last six league matches.
Each of their last two matches have only been settled by a one-goal margin and they will need to improve if they are to become the first team to stop Chelsea from winning since September.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won five of the last six home meetings against Chelsea but Conte, who was one of the managers Guardiola was most concerned about upon his Premier League switch, could continue Chelsea’s fine form with a win at the weekend.
Team News
Manchester City – Pep Guardiola likes to spring a tactical surprise and expect one here. He could look to match Chelsea’s back three with a similar system of his own, which may require Fernandinho to drop into defence as Vincent Kompany is injured. Alternatively, Bacary Sagna or Aleksandar Kolarov could be pulled into the back three.
Yaya Toure has started in each of Manchester City’s last two league games and it would be a remarkable turnaround in fortunes if the Ivorian is trusted in a game of this magnitude.
Raheem Sterling was forced off in City’s 2-1 win over Burnley at the weekend before the hour mark with a knock and is a doubt here.
Chelsea – No changes are expected from Antonio Conte, who is free to pick the same XI for the seventh league game in a row. John Terry is still sidelined with John Obi Mikel, while Kurt Zouma and Marco van Ginkel are not ready to return to first team action.
Pedro has reserved his best performances when playing at home, where all eight of the goals he has directly contributed towards have come. If any changes are made to the team, Conte could bring Willian into the team in favour of Pedro.
Diego Costa has been stuck on four bookings for his last eight matches and remains one yellow off a one-match suspension.
Match Facts
Chelsea have won their last 7 matches in Premier League.
Man City have drawn their last 3 home Premier League matches.
Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 away matches (Premier League).
Chelsea have scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches in Premier League.
Man City have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Chelsea in all competitions.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Man City’s last 3home games (Premier League).
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Chelsea’s last 3 away Premier League games.
As at this post Manchester City 05 has 2.03 odd to win the match on NaijaBet while Chelsea has 3.54 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 3.40.