Verdict: Manchester City to win
Best Odds: 6/4
Bookmakers: Bet 365
Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea host high-flying Manchester City in the game of the weekend on Saturday. The Blues did the double over the Citizens last season but Pep Guardiola’s side have had a blistering start to the season. This game will have big ramifications for the title race even this early in the season, and a win for Chelsea would put them level on points with the visitors to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea
The champions suffered a shock defeat at home to Burnley on the opening day of the season but since then Antonio Conte has got his side back to their best and playing with the same intensity that brought them so much success last season. An away win at Tottenham followed the Burnley defeat and more recently the Blues dismantled a historically well-drilled Stoke side. Their form at Stamford Bridge however has been very inconsistent with a win, a draw and a loss for the season so far. The draw was an infuriating 0-0 against Arsenal in which David Luiz picked up the red card that rules him out for this weekend’s game.
There are lots of positives for the champions though and the form of Alvaro Morata especially will bring smiles the faces of the Chelsea fans. The former Real Madrid striker has scored six goals in the league this season, which puts him joint top in the Golden Boot standings with Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku. The return of Eden Hazard from injury has also buoyed the Blues and his fledgling partnership with Morata helped Chelsea become the first ever English team to win away at Atletico Madrid in their midweek Champions League clash. Atleti and Man City are completely different teams and this will provide another interesting tactical battle for Conte.
Team News
David Luiz is still serving a domestic ban and the experienced Gary Cahill will likely be his replacement in this game. Danny Drinkwater is still out with a calf injury.
The ankle injury that Pedro suffered against Arsenal wasn’t as bad as originally feared and the Spanish winger will be available for selection this weekend. Eden Hazard was heavily involved in the midweek win over Atletico Madrid and looked sharp so the Belgian will start this crucial league game.
Manchester City
The Citizens have started the season in incredible form and Pep Guardiola’s side is arguably the most exciting team to watch in world football right now. 21 goals scored in six league games, including 11 in their last two, makes it difficult for any team to stop the Man City juggernaut, and with the partnership between Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus growing every week we may not have even seen the best of City yet. With Leroy Sané and Raheem Sterling coming off the bench to score in almost every game as well, the Citizens’ squad depth is frightening, and it is no surprise that they have won all of their away games in the league so far.
Despite their strength in depth however Guardiola’s side will definitely miss Benjamin Mendy who looks set for a lengthy spell on the side-lines. The wingback picked up a nasty knee injury in midweek, and captain Vincent Kompany is also unlikely to start in this game. It was Fabian Delph who replaced Mendy against Shakhtar and even though he played well this will be a position that Chelsea may look to target on Saturday. City have only conceded two league goals so far, but Chelsea have the firepower to break down even the most resolute defence, as evidenced by their win over Atletico Madrid, and this could turn into a shootout. If that is indeed the case then it should be City who come out on top given their vast array of quality attacking options.
Team News
Benjamin Mendy is set to miss significant time and will see a knee specialist in Barcelona having suffered the injury in last weekend’s win over Crystal Palace. Fabian Delph replaced the wingback in midweek and performed well so he may be in line for another start on Saturday.
Vincent Kompany is a doubt due to the calf strain he picked up on international duty earlier in the month. Ilkay Gundogan is available.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester City are scoring 3.5 goals per game on average in the league this season.
- City have won all three of their Premier League away games this season.
- Chelsea have only won one of their three Premier League home games this season.
- Manchester City have only won once in their last five league trips to Stamford Bridge.
- Eden Hazard scored three times in the two league meetings between these sides last season.
Conclusion
Manchester City have so much firepower that it’s difficult to look past them as the winners here. Chelsea under Conte can be a tough team to beat, but this is a home game and the Blues likely won’t park the bus like they did in the Mourinho days. This will make it quite an open game and in that scenario it is the visitors who come out on top.
Verdict: Manchester City to win
Best Odds: 6/4
Bookmakers: Bet 365
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