Manchester City vs Chelsea: Preview and Prediction

Published by adam | Filed under Predictions, Premier League, Previews

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9/25 12:45 BST Manchester City vs Chelsea – Odds | Stats


Chelsea has their first true test this season on Saturday when they travel to Eastlands to take on the financially backed Manchester City squad. Both Chelsea and City have changed the dynamics of the Premier League with their billionaire owners, but it is City who has splurged and dominated that department. Italian managers Roberto Mancini and Carlo Ancelotti go head to head in a battle of Premier League title contenders in the City of Manchester Stadium.



Manchester City:


Manchester City is coming off a 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to West Brom. Owner Sheikh Mansour was hoping his 2 year £1billion cash influx would put an early end to the trophy drought but City will have to wait until at least May. City is desperate for fit defenders and could possibly only have 3 fully fit in Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and Kolo Toure for the Saturday clash with Chelsea. Micah Richards is recovering from a hamstring injury that may keep him out at Eastlands. The left back position will then have to be filled by a Adam Johnson, who is eager to see the field, or by pulling back a Garreth Barry or James Milner. Lescott, Adebayor, Balotelli, Boateng, and Kolarov are all out injured. Manager Mancini has admitted that the injury crises has led to big problems in figuring out the lineup for Saturday’s early matchup. City, after only winning 2 of 5 matches, is lucky to be in the fourth position of the tables. If they are to beat a very strong Chelsea side, they will need to put aside their egos and really mesh as a team.


Chelsea:


Chelsea is playing football on another level, but like City, failed to advance in the Carling Cup in their midweek 3-4 loss to Newcastle United. Benayoun, Kakuta, and Kalou are all out injured. Carlo Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 formation is succeeding and allowing the strikers to score at will. Florent Malouda’s recent performances have been a delight for Chelsea. Malouda sits atop of the goalscorers with Berbatov at 6 while Didier Drogba trails close behind with 5. Micheal Essien on the other hand, is back and is showing his pace and strength in the middle of the field. If Ancelotti chooses to rest Lampard at the start, expect a youthful Ramires to come in as his replacement. Chelsea, with 15 points sits atop of the Premier League table having scored 21 and only conceded 1. A win for City would really close the gap between the top 4 (or 5, Tottenham) of the table.

Terry congratulates Patrick van Aanholt for scoring against Newcastle.

Prediction:


Both teams have a squad studded with world class players so Saturday’s duel should not fail to impress. Chelsea however, has proven goal scorers while City has been a bit shaky in the back. Without proper defenders, City will be lucky to avoid the onslaught of Chelsea’s strikers. City however, is formidable at home and will look to repeat the double of last year over the Champions.


Pick:


Manchester City 1 – 2 Chelsea