It’s a big week for Chelsea, following their surprising defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday. They host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side on Wednesday night in a game that is likely to prove crucial in the title race.
If Chelsea were to lose to City and Spurs were to beat Swansea on Wednesday, the gap between the league leaders and Spurs would be just four points with eight games remaining. Chelsea’s ten point lead that was present a week ago would be all but vanquished and the race for the Premier League title would be back on.
Chelsea took the lead against Crystal Palace after just five minutes through Cesc Fabregas, however two goals from Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke in just 91 seconds turned the game in Palace’s favour and despite Chelsea’s best efforts, the Blues were unable to find an equaliser.
Meanwhile, Manchester City travelled to Arsenal and left with a 2-2 draw. They’re 11 points behind Chelsea in the league table, sat in fourth place and this game will be pivotal in their hopes for Champions League qualification.
Many will remember the bad-tempered clash between the two sides back in December, which ended with both Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho sent off in a late fracas between the two teams. Chelsea won 3-1 at the Etihad on the day.
Chelsea vs. Manchester City Predictions
What is a big football match could be very easy to predict. City love to play with possession and play out from the back, but they struggle defensively. On the other hand, Chelsea are resolute at the back and are more than comfortable playing without the ball. If Guardiola gets his tactics wrong, expect Chelsea to win this game at a canter, potentially keeping a clean sheet.
Chelsea vs. Manchester City Betting Tips
Chelsea come into this game as narrow favourites at 27/20, while City are outsiders at 21/10. The draw is 12/5. Chelsea to win and keep a clean sheet is available at 3/1, while Chelsea to win and both to score is 59/20. Diego Costa heads up the goalscorer markets at odds of 16/5 to score first, while City’s Sergio Aguero is priced at 21/20 to score anytime.
Head to Head
- Pep Guardiola has never previously lost both league games against a single opponent in a season as a manager in his career so far.
- After winning eight Premier League games in a row against Manchester City between 2005 and 2009, the Blues have won just five of their last 15 against them in the top flight (D3 L7).
- There have been four red cards in the last five league meetings between these sides, with three being shown to Manchester City players.
- Sergio Aguero has scored six Premier League goals against Chelsea, with four of those coming at Stamford Bridge.
- Antonio Conte hasn’t lost consecutive home league defeats as a manager since November 2009 while in charge of Atalanta.
- Chelsea haven’t lost back to back Premier League games at Stamford Bridge since November 2011 under Andre Villas-Boas.
- Manchester City have lost just one of their last six Premier League games in London (W3 D2).
Chelsea Team News
Thibault Courtois, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa will all be fit to start, after coming through Saturday’s game unscathed. David Luiz is also fit, but continues to play through the pain of a knee injury. Victor Moses faces a late fitness test after missing the game against Palace. If the wing-back doesn’t feature, Pedro is likely to replace him.
Manchester City Team News
Bacary Sagna is missing for Pep Guardiola’s team, but Pablo Zabaleta is fit to start. Vincent Kompany made the bench for the game against Arsenal and could feature at Stamford Bridge. City are still without long term absentees Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus.