Manchester City v Chelsea Premier League preview

Chelsea are involved in another highly-anticipated game this weekend. After seeing off Arsenal last weekend they will be looking to end Manchester City’s unbeaten home record also this weekend.

Manchester City

Perhaps their 3-0 thrashing of Arsenal on Wednesday can get Mark Hughes side kick-started after 7 straight draws in the Premier League. Despite the lack of wins recently, they are only 3 points off the top 4, but the gap may increase this weekend unless they can cause an upset over the league leaders. Robinho was an unused substitute in that game and is unlikely to start this game against the team that thought had signed him last season. Another 2 points were thrown away at home to Hull last weekend and they will need to raise their game if they want to avoid defeat against in-form Chelsea. Raise their game they will, but it won’t guarantee an improvement from their defence that has kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 10 games. Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott continue to make errors and they could really have done with keeping Richard Dunne now. His sale may have made Stephen Ireland happier, but he is yet to hit his form from last season. Wednesday nights result is the only positive thing City have to take into this game with them because they don’t look like top 4 challengers right now and much improvement is required from them. They stepped up against Arsenal and Manchester United, now can they perform against Chelsea this weekend?

Form
DDDDD

Injuries/Suspensions
n/a

Chelsea

They’ve earned the right to be top of the Premier League and favourites with their performances this season. Didier Drogba scored twice against Arsenal last weekend to take him joint top of the Premier League top scorers as he is arguably playing as good as he ever has at Chelsea. He has had success against Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott in the past and could find himself on the scoresheet again this weekend. At times he is almost impossible to defend and the best thing Manchester City can do is prevent the ball getting to his feet, which is another near-impossible task. Frank Lampard has scored a few against City in recent games, and he gave Chelsea the lead in their 3-1 victory here last season. History is on Chelsea’s side too, having won 8 straight against this Manchester side, but more importantly their form is on a much higher level. Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel were the only players to play the full games against Arsenal and Blackburn, which leaves the rest of the team fresh to play in this game, with those two potential candidates for a rest.

Form
WWWWW

Injuries/Suspensions
Jose Bosingwa

I’m a little surprised to see Chelsea odds-on for this game, although it’s merited with the form of both sides. Manchester City shouldn’t be written off as they are capable of playing at a much higher level than they have. Concentration has been an issue for them recently and that may ultimately cost them if they switch off at any point when the likes of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka are in possession of the ball. But if City play at their best here, they can avoid defeat which is why Chelsea’s odds are too short for my liking at the moment. That’s where in-play betting is our friend as this game is the evening game on TV.

Manchester City 7/2

Draw 5/2

Chelsea 10/11