Chelsea vs Manchester City : Team News, Lineups, And Prediction

Last weekend’s loss at Swansea endangered the European qualification for the London’s side and also ended their unbeaten run in 2016. This weekend, they will be hosting Manuel Pellegrini’s  men who recently qualified for their first ever Semi-Final in the UEFA Champions League.

Since the arrival of Kevin De Bryne, the City side has observed a real boost and they will be looking to grab the 3^rd consecutive victory against the Blues. City have been an inconsistent team this season and their recent stats shows the same as they have won just 3 out of their last 6 games and have lost 2.

The last time these 2 sides met in the premier league this season, City thrashed Jose Mourinho by 3 goals to nil at Etihad stadium. The games like these are effectively an audition for incoming head coach Antonio Conte, and anyone who wants a part of that future will have to be at their best.

 

Chelsea vs Manchester City Team News-

After serving a long ban, Diego Costa will be available for the Blues who could be slotted straight into the starting XI.

Hiddink has received a major boost ahead of the game after Willian, Gary Cahill, Nemanja Matic and Eden Hazard all returned to training.

Courtois is expected to return to the starting line-up after being rested on the bench in the trip to Swansea last weekend.

Raheem Sterling and the club’s skipper Vincent Kompany will be the absentees for the club for sure.

Yaya Toure might return in the starting XI as the Ivorian was named on the bench for the midweek Champions League clash against PSG.

 

Lineups:

 

Chelsea-

Courtois

Azpilicueta, Miazga, Ivanovic, Rahman

Mikel, Fabregas

Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Willian

Diego Costa

 

Manchester City-

Hart

Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy

Toure, Fernandinho

Silva, De Bruyne, Navas

Aguero

 

Key Stats-

Manchester City have won eight points at Stamford Bridge from the last possible 51.

City are also unbeaten in their last 3 games against the Blues in the premier league in which, they have won just 1 and have played 2 draws.

In their last 6 games in the premier league, City have won just 3 and have lost 2.

Chelsea in their last 6, have also won 3 but, have lost just 1.

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 5 home games against City in the premier league.

 

Prediction-

Chelsea will be without their star defenders and we all know what De Bruyne and Aguero are capable of. City have no such disadvantage in its squad right now but, a return of Diego Costa might be a little nuisance for the side as he can cause some serious problems for City’s defence.

Manchester City needs to win this game if they tend to ensure their European spot, however, a win for Chelsea could boost their confidence as they will level up with Stoke City.

But obviously, City is the favourite side in this clash. Despite Chelsea’s strong dominance at home in the recent season, I think Manchester City will grab a winner some way or the other.

3-1 Manchester City