Chelsea FC vs Manchester City: Thoughts And Predictions

Chelsea FC vs Manchester City, a battle of the top two, a match which could go a long way in deciding the color of the ribbons on the Barclays Premier League trophy at the end of the season.

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The Blues will play host at Stamford Bridge, hoping that their home form in the league will carry them through what could be their toughest match of the season so far.

City allowed Chelsea to reopen a five-point gap at the top by falling to Arsenal, a loss in this match would set them further behind, with eight points to make up.

The Cityzens have struggled in the absence of their midfield enforcer Yaya Toure; they have drawn at Everton, lost to Arsenal, and gotten dumped out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough. The midfielder — who is away on international duty with the Ivory Coast — got off to a poor start this season, but was instrumental in the team’s run of nine wins in 11 games, a run which helped them catch up to Chelsea.

Chelsea FC vs Manchester City – Flickr Creative Commons

Manuel Pellegrini will still not have the luxury of calling upon the newly-signed Wilfried Bony — who is also representing the Ivory coast — but he does have a healthy Sergio Aguero at his disposal. The Argentinian has been goal shy since his return, but we all know his ability.

Chelsea advanced to the Capital One Cup final with a tough win over Liverpool this week, but it was not without cost. Cesc Fabregas was unable to continue after feeling tightness in his hamstring, while Filipe Luis was later withdrawn due to a calf problem.

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Branislav Ivanovic also suffered a wound to his foot, the blood on his shoes quite visible after the match.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Diego Costa was charged by the FA yesterday for violent conduct, after he appeared to stamp on Emre Can’s leg during the match. He will most likely get hit with a three-match ban, ruling him out of this all-important fixture.

The Blues have able backup strikers in Didier Drogba and Loic Remy, but should Costa get banned, they will certainly be at a disadvantage. The striker has been a very important part of the squad, scoring 17 goals in 19 outings, going through such a crucial match without him will make their work doubly hard.

Frank Lampard will be making his first return to the Bridge since signing for City. His contributions have kept Pellegrini’s side close to the Blues, who would now be 12 points clear without his goals — one of which was scored against them.

This is sure to leave a sour taste in the mouths of some Chelsea supporters. If City do pip Chelsea to the title, it will probably be down to Lampard — a fact which makes the scoreline easier to predict than the reception he will receive when he steps out onto the Stamford Bridge pitch.

Prediction

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With so many important players likely to miss the match, the teams won’t be at full strength. Since the turn of the year, they have both dipped in form. Chelsea have been on the wrong end of two embarrassing defeats — 5-3 to Tottenham and 4-2 to Bradford City.

City — as I mentioned earlier — have been poor without Toure, not having won in their last three matches.

Chelsea being at home does give them a bit of an advantage, but if Fabregas sits out, things could even up pretty quickly.

It won’t be a high scoring match as both teams will be focused on defending. My guess is that the scoreline will be the same as it was at the Etihad last year.

Chelsea: 1, Manchester City: 1

We Are Hooligans Match Of The Week Predictions

Undefeated at Stamford Bridge this season, look for Chelsea to control this match from start to finish. Chelsea 3-1. – Robert Molnar

Chelsea will miss Fabregas and Costa, and after a physical encounter with Liverpool, Mourinho will look to sit back and defend. Look for another 1-0 win for Chelsea, in the pattern of last year’s January tie at the Ethiad. – James Sutherland

0-0 snooze fest. – Joe Lingley

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