Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
With Liverpool given an early advantage on Saturday afternoon, Pep Guardiola’s side will travel to Stamford Bridge five hours after the Reds take to the pitch at Bournemouth.
Chelsea
Starting with the hosts, while Maurizio Sarri’s arrival in west London had some believing that the Blues could have transformed into a title dark horse, the Italian has hit his first rough patch at Stamford Bridge. Despite taking a half-time lead at Molineux on Wednesday, they could only come away with a 2-1 defeat against a Wolves side who had failed to win any of their six previous outings. With a return to Champions League football the top of Sarri’s agenda, the former Napoli boss will know that he must improve on the Blues’ recent showings Chelsea began this Premier League campaign with five consecutive victories, but they have won only four of their subsequent 10 fixtures. Along with losing the last three meetings against City, including a 2-0 loss in the Community Shield back in August, the form of Eden Hazard will also be a concern to the new Chelsea boss. The Belgium talisman has failed to score in his last 11 appearances for club and country.
Team News
Chelsea pair Jorginho and David Luiz were unused substitutes for the midweek defeat by Wolves and are expected to be recalled on Saturday.
Ross Barkley is back in contention after an ankle injury.
Manchester City
As for Saturday’s visitors, yet to be beaten domestically this season, City have once again cemented their spot as the leading contender to defend their crown. Coming off the back of a 2-1 win away at Watford, a scoreline that doesn’t reflect the Sky Blues’ dominance, Pep Guardiola’s side have now won their last seven Premier League matches on the bounce and their form in the final third has been incredibly impressive. Now scoring 45 goals in their opening 15 games, they unsurprisingly hold the best attacking record in the top-flight, they also sit 11 goals clear of Arsenal in second. With Sergio Aguero sidelined with injury, Guardiola will be looking for Raheem Sterling to lead from the front. The England international already has eight goals this season and is firmly on course to set a new personal best season. Holding a two-point buffer over Liverpool at the top of the table, they are also unbeaten in their last 14 league matches away from the Etihad.
Team News
Manchester City’s record scorer Sergio Aguero will miss a third successive game because of muscle tightness.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a doubt due to a facial injury, while the match comes too soon for playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester City have won the last three meetings in all competitions, including this season’s Community Shield, without conceding a goal.
- The Blues are unbeaten in all eight home league fixtures this season but have drawn three of the past five.
- Olivier Giroud has three in his last three against Manchester City.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in 21 league games since April, winning the last seven.
- They are unbeaten in their last 14 away league matches (W11, D3) – they have never gone 15 without defeat in the top flight.
Conclusion
Given City’s stellar start to the season and some believing that they’re play better than their record breaking campaign last year, it is hard to bet against Guardiola’s side. Winning their last three meetings against Chelsea and given their fondness for playing in the capital, we’re backing the defending champions to leave west London with all three points on Saturday evening.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
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