The matchday 14 of the English Premier League 2016/17 season kick-off with yet another high profile clash as Pep Gaurdiola’s Manchester City host Antonio Conte’s Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester City and Chelsea are separated by just 1 point at the top of the league table after both teams winning their respective matches on matchday 13. The Sky Blues squeezed out a 2-1 win against the newly promoted Burnley by a 2-1 margin. While the Blues were victorious in the high profile North London derby against Tottenham by the same margin. Interestingly both teams fought their way back from similar circumstances after going behind to early first half goals.
Manchester City: Team News
The influential captain is a long term injury absentee with a knee injury, while Fabian Delph is out with a groin problem. While Raheem Sterling remains a major doubt after picking up a knock in the 2-1 win against Burnley last weekend.
Manchester City: Predicted Starting Line-up (4-2-3-1)
Bravo – Clichy, Kolarov, Otamendi, Sagna – Fernando, Fernandinho – Nolito, Toure, Silva – Aguero.
Chelsea: Team News
John Terry is yet to recover from a muscle injury he picked up before the Spurs game and is expected to remain sidelined along with John Obi Mikel. Kurt Zouma on the other hand is still short of fitness, so do the young mdfielder back Marco Van Ginkel.
Chelsea: Expected Starting Line-up (3-4-3)
Courtois – Cahill, David Luiz, Azpilicueta – Alonso, Kante, Matic, Moses – Pedro, Hazard, Costa.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: Head-to-head Stats
- Overall (155 Matches): Manchester City – 52 wins, Chelsea -64 wins, Draws – 39.
- At Manchester City (71 matches): Manchester City – 32 wins, Chelsea -22 wins, Draws – 17.
Manchester City defeated Chelsea in both Premier League clashes of last season by the same 3-0 margin. The kept City on a four match unbeaten run the two matches on the previous season being draws.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: Prediction
The two managers will happily accept a draw from this fixture as this won’t do any damage to their title ambitions at the moment. So there is no doubt that this will be a tactical battle as both teams’ top priority will be to avoid a defeat here. But judging by the recent run of both teams, we believe there will be a winner at the end of 90 minutes.
However, we largely suspect City’s credentials coming into this match. The Pep Guardiola tutored side can plan some brilliant football at times, but so far failed to exert their authority even against smaller teams. Chelsea are a well-disciplined unit which defend well. The likes of Hazard and Costa are on fine form, while Pedro and Moses have proved handy in key situations. They have the momentum and confidence on their side and they will certainly go in as slight favourites.
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