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Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea will welcome Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City to Stamford Bridge in what looks set to be an entertaining clash with two title hopefuls looking to prove their credentials.
The Blues are going into the match having won their last two games against Cardiff and Norwich while City have hammered West Ham and Everton. Both teams will be looking to secure an advantage over their title rivals, even at this early point in the campaign, and three points will be invaluable.
Team News:
Ashley Cole is a doubt at left-back for Sunday’s clash with a rib injury as he faces a late fitness test while summer signing Marco van Ginkel continues to be absent with a long-term ACL problem.
Veteran defender Martin Demichelis is in line for his debut after shrugging off a knee injury while the game comes too soon for captain Vincent Kompany, who is struggling with a thigh injury.
Recent Form:
Chelsea are on a high, having won their last two games and unbeaten in four, the last defeat coming against Roberto Martinez’s Everton back in September. However, they were in danger of an upset last weekend against Cardiff until Oscar’s arrival thanks to David Luiz’s error.
Manchester City are also in good form, winning their three of their last four games with the only blip coming against Aston Villa in a shock 3-2 defeat.
Players to watch:
Oscar was left on the bench against Cardiff but he arrived on the scene with the score poised at 1-1 and dragged Chelsea to victory with a magnificent strike in a virtuoso performance. Should he start this time out, the Blues will certainly be looking to the Brazilian for inspiration as they attempt to unlock the City defence.
The former Internacional star has already scored four goals this term, equalling his total from 2012/13, and you wouldn’t bet against this man scoring a crucial goal on Sunday.
Manchester City – Sergio Aguero
The Argentine looks in ominous form with four goals in his last two games, two of them coming in the midweek Champions League clash against CSKA Moscow, and will pose the biggest threat to Jose Mourinho’s side on Sunday. Whether paired with Alvaro Negredo in a two-man attack or playing a lone role, the former Atletico Madrid striker has gathered a reputation as one of the world’s best forwards.
An 80 per cent shot accuracy underpins his lethality and he’s not bad at creating chances either, having laid on 11 chances for team-mates this season.
Prediction:
It looks to be a very even contested match between two teams renowned for their fire-power, and goals seem to be a certainty in this match with neither team on form defensively.
Whoever comes out on top will gain a huge confidence boost going into the middle stages of the Premier League, but a draw seems likely with the two teams equally matched.
Jack’s prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester City
