Chelsea vs. Manchester City: English Premier League Preview
Defending Champions Chelsea host third placed Manchester City in an English Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 20th March. The Blues will be looking to beat the Citizens and leapfrog them into third spot in the league table.
Both teams had contrasting results recently, as Chelsea beat FC Copenhagen in their UEFA Champions League encounter in midweek to progress to the quarter-finals of the tournament. On the other hand, City lost to Dynamo Kiev on aggregate and crashed out of
the UEFA Europa League.
Chelsea
The Blues are still hoping for a title push despite being nine points behind leaders Manchester United. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have started finding their feet in the league and have lost only once in their last five matches. Chelsea will be hoping to cash
in on all the available points as Tottenham Hotspur are also pushing for a fourth place finish.
Chelsea have won nine out of their 13 matches at Stamford Bridge this season, having lost two and drawn two. They have lost their last three games against Manchester City and will be hoping to end that streak.
Manchester City
Manchester City have done a good job this season and have challenged for the title for a major part of the campaign. However, a poor run of form in the Premier League of late has seen them drop out from title contention. The Citizens have won only two of
their last six games in the league.
City have not won two consecutive games in the league in 2011 and will be hoping to end that run by wining at the Bridge. They have not won an away game in their last eight travels in all competitions this season.
Team News
Chelsea
The Blues rested http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yossi-Benayoun-c37520. Centre back Alex is also expected to return
after recovering from a knee injury.
Manchester City
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pablo-Zabaleta-c29022 is on a compassionate leave and will miss this game.
Roberto Manicni will be going into this game with a 4-5-1 formation, as he has done in all big games this season. That means, Carlos Tevez will start as a lone striker for the Citizens.
Players to Watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 striker will be the man to watch for the Blues, as he is yet to score his maiden goal since joining the Blues. The Spaniard was rested in the midweek game and played for a brief period as a substitute. The 50 million pound striker has
come under a lot of criticism after failing to score in his five league appearances since joining the London giants. Torres will be hoping to silence the critics and score in this game.
Carlos Tevez
The Argentinean has been a dominant figure behind City’s success this season and has scored 18 goals in the league. The former Manchester United man has scored six goals in his last five games against Chelsea.
Prediction
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 playing at Stamford Bridge are too good for any team in the world. The Blues are expected to win the game by at least two goals, as City have been depleted at the back due to Kolo Toure’s absence. Prediction: 2-0
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