Manchester City vs Chelsea - Competition: 2013/2014 English Premier League, Round 24
Match date: Monday, 03 February 2014
Match date: Monday, 03 February 2014
Etihad Stadium - Mancheste will be hosting on 03 February 2014, an English Premier League, Round 24 match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC. The match referee will be Michael Dean.
Man City can't lose at the moment. Currently enjoying a run of 20
unbeaten that includes 18 victories, the Citizens have leaped Arsenal
for first place in the Premier League table. Furthermore, they've won
every league game this year at the Etihad Stadium with an astonishing
rate of 42 goals scored to just 8 conceded. They will face arguably
their toughest test at home this Monday when Chelsea come to town, but
it's an opportunity to put some distance between one of their main title
contenders. However, the Blues have already managed a 2-1 victory this
season over the Citizens at Stamford Bridge, and with Sergio Aguero out,
the going won't be easy for Pellegrini's men. But over the duration of
the full 90 minutes, Man City seem to possess too much firepower and
quality to be denied all three points.
Probable lineups Manchester City: Hart – Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy –Navas, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Silva – Negredo, Dzeko.
Chelsea team enter Monday's massive clash in fine form themselves, going unbeaten in their last 9 games in all competitions, while only losing one of their last 13 league games. This form has seen them up to 3rd place, just 3 points adrift Man City, and Jose Mourinho will be desperate to avoid a loss and the consequential 6 point gap it would leave between the sides. The manager would love to come away with a draw here and is likely to play a more defensive game, while counterattacking with Hazard and Willian on the wings. This tactic has worked in their other away games against top competition, as seen in their draws with Arsenal, Man United, and Tottenham. But the Manchester City attack offers something more at the moment than any other club, and we suspect a bit of luck will be needed for Chelsea to grab a result here. You could justify going either way in this one, but in the end it seems that with the home field advantage, the Citizens will prove too much.
Probable lineups Chelsea: Cech – Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta – Mikel, Ramires – Willian, Oscar, Hazard – Eto’o.
Kick Off Time: 20:00 GMT - 21:00 CET
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, United Kingdom
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, United Kingdom
