Manchester City vs Chelsea preview

By Ric Turner, Fri 19 September 2014 13:47


Manchester City vs Chelsea previewA look at Sunday's key clash at The Etihad

Manchester City vs Chelsea

Date: 4.00pm, Sunday 21st September 2014

Venue: The Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Referee: Mike Dean Assistants: J Brooks, S Burt Fourth Official: P Dowd

Odds: Manchester City 11/8, Draw 5/2, Chelsea 2/1

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports 1

Manchester City

Manager: Manuel Pellegrini

Squad (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Boyata, Clichy, Demichelis, Kolarov, Kompany, Mangala, Nastasic, Sagna, Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Lampard, Milner, Nasri, Navas, Silva, Sinclair, Toure, Aguero, Dzeko.

Injured: Jovetic (hamstring), Fernando (groin)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: DLWW

Chelsea

Manager: Jose Mourinho

Squad (from): Cech, Schwarzer, Courtois, Ivanovic, Terry, Azpilicueta, Luis, Cahill, Ake, Zouma, Christensen, Ramires, Hazard, Mikel, Salah, Willian, Fabregas, Oscar, Schurrle, Matic, Costa, Drogba, Remy

Injured: None

Doubtful: Drogba

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWWW

Midfielder Fernando and striker Stevan Jovetic are both ruled out through injury once again. Eliaquim Mangala is, however, available for selection and Ediz Dzeko is expected to recover from a minor back injury sustained against Bayern Munich.

Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that Sergio Aguero will be restored to the starting line-up, having been rested for the midweek trip to the Allianz Arena.

"Sergio in this moment is not ready to play three games in a row in one week," he said.

"That's why I thought it was better for him and for the squad not to play him for 90 minutes against Bayern.

"He's fresh for Sunday and I am sure that we will make a difference.

"When he is 100% fit he makes a difference."

City's last home league game against Chelsea ended in a 1-0 defeat, with Branislav Ivanovic scoring the winner. Overall City have won 50 of the 150 games played against Chelsea, with 37 draws and 63 defeats.

Read the views from opposition fan blog Chelsea Daft here.

Prediction: City 1 Chelsea 1