League leaders Chelsea entertain reigning Champions Manchester City at the Stamford Bridge as they look to build on an impregnable lead on the second placed Citizens.
The biggest talking point of the match comes in the form of Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who will be out of this top of the table encounter after receiving a three-match ban by The FA for violent conduct. The Blues’ hitman, was found guilty of violent conduct against his sides’ Capital One Cup game against Liverpool, where he appeared to have stamped the Reds’ Emre Can.
Both sides come into this game back of FA Cup exits at the hands of lower league opposition in their own backyards.
Chelsea fell prey to a 2-4 defeat against League 1 side Bradford despite leading the tie 2-0 only for The Bantams to roar back to score 4 to produce an almighty FA Cup upset.
The Citizens on the other hand succumbed against a resilient Middlesbrough side, who along with their brilliant Championship campaign and promotion hopes, continued their FA Cup winning run.
Team News:
The aforementioned suspension of 17-goal Diego Costa will see Jose Mourinho reshuffle his pack upfront. The Spaniards contribution had propelled the Blues to the top of the table, and his absence will be mightily felt. Influentialplaymaker Cesc Fabregas, limped out of the game against Liverpool with a hamstring complain, and he, along with Filipe Luis and Branislav Ivanovic are major doubts for Saturday’s showdown. Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah, who are close to the Stamford Bridge exit door, may also not make it to Saturday’s squad after being close to signing for Wolfsburg and Fiorentina respectively.
Ivory Coast’s win against Cameroon on Wednesday in the AFCON means Yaya Toure and new arrival Wilfried Bony continue to be unavailable for Manuel Pellegrini. Samir Nasri, who missed his sides’ last two games, is expected to be fit for City’s trip to London.
Key Battles:
Frank Lampard vs Nemanja Matic: Frank Lampard will come up against arguably Premier League’s best midfielder in Nemanja Matic. The Serbian destroyer will have to make sure that Lampard on his return to the Stamford Bridge is not given any breathing space. ‘Super Frank’ scored in the reverse fixture in September, with the Citizens anticipating a similar contribution in Yaya Toure’s absence.
Sergio Agüero vs John Terry: Sergio Agüero since his injury return hasn’t looked upto the mark. The Argentine cut a forlorn figure in the 0-2 defeat against Arsenal, and again looked out of sorts against Middlesbrough. He will have to outdo Chelsea captain John Terry to find the back of the net.
Eden Hazard vs Pablo Zabaleta: Chelsea’s dazzling star Eden Hazard will be burdened with the creative as well as goalscoring responsibility with Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa out. Hazard already has 8 goals and 4 assists to his name, and Zabaleta will have a tough time to keep the uncanny Belgian as well his marauding runs in check.
Opta Stats:
Chelsea have won four and lost just two of their last eight Premier League games against Manchester City.
No team has beaten Manchester City more often in the Premier League than Chelsea (22 victories – same as Arsenal).
Jose Mourinho has won seven and lost just two of the 11 meetings as a coach with Manuel Pellegrini.
Branislav Ivanovic has assisted a goal in each of his last three Premier League appearances.
The Blues have kept eight clean sheets in their last 11 Premier League outings, including the last five in a row at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City have conceded 64% of their goals in the second half – the highest proportion in the top flight.
Cesc Fabregas is the first player to provide 15 assists in two different Premier League seasons (2007/08 and 2014/15).
Quotes:
Jose Mourinho:
In light of Diego Costa’s 3-game ban and the FA fining Mourinho charged by the FA for his ‘campaign’ claim, Chelsea called-off the press conference ahead of this feisty encounter. The Blues may face a sanction from the Premier League for the same.
Manuel Pellegrini: While many assess this game as a potential title decider, City’s Chilean manager believes the title will be far from over albeit Saturday’s result. Talking to the reporters, he said, “It’s an important game, it’s not the game that will decide the title because after that we have to play for 48 points.”
“It’s not a final. Remember, City won the title in 2011/12 after being eight points behind Manchester United.”
Possible line-ups:
Chelsea: (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Terry, Ake; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Remy.
Manchester City: (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichellis, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Nasri, Lampard, Silva; Agüero.
My Prediction: 1-1
Expecting a repeat of September’s reverse fixture. With Diego Costa out and Sergio Agüero struggling, there seem to be no goals in this game.