Date: Sunday 3rd
January 2021
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 16:30 GMT
Despite their
most recent game being called off as the result of a Covid outbreak, this
afternoon’s game at Stamford Bridge, sees us take on Manchester City.
We’ve just
edged these meetings historically, although more recently, City have won in 6
out of the last 8 games between us in all competitions. We did beat City in
this fixture in June, of course, and they’ll still be sore about that given it effectively
handed Liverpool the title.
We started
this weekend sixth and eighth in the table, although in a season like this one,
our positions shouldn’t be all that surprising. Sustained form seems rare and
the table has seen more movement than any of us mere mortals have been allowed
for months. City also have games in hand which could see their position improve.
As for us, we’ve
lost our last three away league games and whilst our home form has been a bit
more solid, the reality is, we’ve had just one win in our last six games in all
competitions.
City’s defence
aren’t about to let us change that and I suspect, neither will ours.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into
today’s game, Chelsea Manager, Frank Lampard says “It’s a game we want to
win against very good opposition. They
are going to be there or thereabouts. To be up there with him despite our recent
run of form in the last few games is a plus and it’s an opportunity to win a
game against a competitor. We need to be
at our best to win. In terms of their weaknesses? I don’t see it. They are a
very strong outfit; very well managed, they have threats in attacking areas. We
need to focus on ourselves. If we’re at our best, we can make weaknesses
against any team.”
Manchester City manager
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, says “Five players are out right now – isolated
for 10 days. Some are the first cases –
two players and two staff and then three more the second time. I think the Premier League will not allow us
to say it but you will see who does not travel and you will know exactly who
they are. You will see the line-ups and
three important players not there so you will know exactly but I’m not allowed
to tell you.”
SQUAD NEWS
For
Chelsea, Reece James is out, whilst Hakim Ziyech faces a late fitness test.
For
Manchester City, Eric Garcia (leg) is out, although Gundogan is expected to be available. Kyle Walker
and Gabriel Jesus have been confirmed as 2 of the players missing through Covid.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell; Kante, Kovacic, Mount; Pulisic,
Abraham, Werner
MANCHESTER
CITY (Possible line-up): Steffen; Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Mendy; Rodri,
Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Sterling; Aguero
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester
City (25 June 2020)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: WLLWLD
MANCHESTER CITY: WWDDWW
OTHER STUFF
- Manchester City have lost 26 Premier League games
versus Chelsea.
- None of the past 10 league meetings have been
drawn.
- Chelsea have only won one of their past five
Premier League matches.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in 10 matches in all
competitions.
- Chelsea have failed to win their opening Premier
League fixture in all of the past four calendar years
- Manchester City have lost three of their past four
Premier League games in London.
- City have kept 13 clean sheets in all competitions this season
PREDICTION
BBC Sport: Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City
Sportsmole: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City
90mins: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester City
