Chelsea v Manchester City - Preview

Torres - Has come close to breaking his duck

This game has gained more and more significance in recent seasons, as Manchester City’s power has increased with every season. This year the two clubs go into the battle third and fourth respectively, both trying to salvage their seasons to a point.

Chelsea have made a very good first of things since going out of the FA Cup on penalties to Everton. They were gritty but very classy and determined against Manchester United when coming from behind (having been largely outplayed) to win 2-1 with a late Lampard penalty.

Since then a 3-1 win at Blackpool (which they were made to work very hard for before a Lampard double sealed the win) was followed up by a rather mundane 0-0 coast against Copenhagen, although being 2-0 from the first leg, the situation allowed that they do so.

Yuri Zhirkov shot wide and Nicolas Anelka had an effort saved as Chelsea failed to add to a 2-0 first-leg lead, while new signing Fernando Torres came ever closer to breaking his duck for the blues.  For all that there were some who were unimpressed at the fact it ended goalless, it was the type of performance which gives notice they are almost back to the kind of form which helped them to a domestic double of league and FA Cup last season, and more importantly, a gradual progression and yet another result that keeps them in the hunt for major prizes.

Regarding team news, Carlo Ancelotti rested many of his first team players in midweek, with the likes of Michael Essien, Florent Malouda, and Fernando Torres left on the subs bench. All three are likely to come right back into the lineup for the match. Drogba will most likely give way to allow this, along with Zhirkov and Mikel.

Manchester City, much like Chelsea, are still very much in the mix for two major competitions, taking into account the fact that they’re unlikely to win the Premiership and have to overcome rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup Semi – Finals.

Balotelli - Likely to be absent thanks a massive moment
of stupidity

Despite winning four of their last 6, Manchester City have generally been poor, close to abysmal in terms of performance. A disappointing win against Fulham was seemingly rectified when putting three past Aston Villa, but a remarkably sour display against Wigan was only a win thanks to David Silva's tame shot being palmed through his own legs by Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi.

Antolin Alcaraz volleyed against the crossbar for Wigan and James McCarthy forced a fine save from Joe Hart while substitute Connor Sammon fired wide in injury time when one-on-one with Hart, in a game that City clearly should have lost.

And that was only before they were handed a long and severe lesson on how to play two-legged European football by the excellent Dymano Kiev, who pulled into a 2 goal lead and were never in real trouble at Eastlands despite a 1-0 defeat.

Manchester City have much enjoyed recent trips to London, unbeaten in their last eight fixtures in the capital with a total of 16 points gained but they’ve not won away in the league since Newcastle and have blanked in 2 of those 4 games, not to mention losing to Kiev 2-0.

Mario Batoelli’s almost magical moment of stupidity in midweek may leave City shorn of one of their best strikers if Roberto Mancini chooses to ignore the loophole at his disposal, but Nigel De Jong’s present in midfield will sure things up and the arrival of James Milner will be relief for the boys from Eastlands. The key to their threat though, lies with whether Adam Johnson can make the squad.

In a key match up, Chelsea can keep their title hopes alive by putting away Manchester City, who have been woefully abject recently and struggle to score in big games, and on the road. Chelsea’a own forwards haven’t been firing too much of late but this could be a very tight game and they can look to anywhere for goals on the pitch, notably Frank Lampard who has five goals in his most recent seven appearances.

Advice

3 pts Chelsea to beat Manchester City (8/11 Paddy Power)