City Favourites To Dispatch Undefeated Chelsea

Table toppers Chelsea head to the Etihad Stadium tomorrow (21st September) in the knowledge that a win would see them put a buffer of six points between them and Arsenal, their nearest title rivals. Jose Mourinho`s men will also realise that City are a wounded animal, without a win in their last three games in all competitions, and that this could be their best chance of stealing a win against last season`s Premier League champions.

Despite making light work of Liverpool last month, the Manchester side failed to see off a lesser team in Stoke City, whose defensive resilience meant that Mame Biram Diouf`s 58th minute opener was enough for Mark Hughes` team to return to the Potteries with all three points. Last weekend, an 83rd minute Martin Demichelis equaliser against Arsenal (2-2) saved the Sky Blues from back-to-back defeats though they did eventually fall to the might of Pep Guardiola`s German titans Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Like their opponents, Chelsea also failed to win their Champions League group opener in the mid-week, though managed to pick up a point at home to Schalke. Cesc Fabregas` first goal for the club wasn`t enough to see the Stamford Bridge side walk away with all three points as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netted from a decisive counter-attacking move. The Fulham Road side`s European fixture was preceded by the emphatic 4-2 victory over Swansea City in the league, Diego Costa`s hat-trick helping the team to overcome an early John Terry own goal.

The champions, however, are the 6/4 (bet365, Betvictor, Coral, paddy Power, william hill) favourites to bounce back from their stuttering start and close the gap on their title rivals with three well-earned points. An away victory has been priced up at 21/10 by william hill, whilst 5/2 (boylesports, Skybet) says the match will be a draw come the final whistle.

Pacesetters Chelsea know that they will have to try and upset these odds with hat-trick hero Costa not at full fitness. The Spaniard is still recovering after pulling a hamstring in an international clash earlier this month and whilst Mourinho told a press conference that he understands the need to `protect` his star striker, he is willing to take a risk in order to take points from Pellegrini`s men.

`Diego is not in the best condition but will start the game.` The 51-year-old said.

`He plays this game but I know he cannot play against Bolton. It`s as simple as that.

`I know clearly that we have to try to protect him until he gets completely fit.`

The poacher`s fitness issues certainly aren`t putting off punters backing him to score at any time tomorrow with the league`s top scorer 13/8 (betfair, ladbrokes) to slot his eighth goal of the campaign past City number one Joe Hart.

Stevan Jovetic, however, still won`t be available down the other end of the pitch. The Sky Blues` striker who bagged a brace in their 3-1 home win over Liverpool continues to recuperate after picking up a hamstring injury during a training session with national team Montenegro. Twelve million pound Porto signing Fernando is also sidelined, having not made an appearance since suffering with his groin in that defeat at the hands of Stoke, whilst Edin Dzeko should play despite back problems.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini will also be able to utilise Chelsea`s all-time leading goal scorer Frank Lampard as the Chilean looks to claim his first victory over the Blues since taking over at the Etihad. The 36-year-old midfielder signed for New York City FC upon finding himself surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, before heading to the North West to retain his match fitness during the MLS` off-season.

Chelsea`s 147-time goal scorer is 5/1 (betfred, Totesport) to find the net wearing a lighter shade of blue.

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20/09/2014     © Frixo 2026