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CHELSEA vs Man City: Preview

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Date: Monday, 12 December

Kick-off: 2000 GMT

 

After a weekend of nonsense from the press they’ll finally have our football to write about after tonight’s game against Europa League contenders Manchester City.  And we can guarantee that defeat for us would see them back on the attack against AVB although Mancini, as we know, won’t be facing the same fate should City drop points.

 

 

MANAGERS’ VIEWS

Following a busy week making friends with the press, ahead of tonight’s game Andre Villas-Boas says “If we win or draw against City on Monday then we continue to challenge for the Premier League.  But, if we lose… then it becomes extremely difficult.  Thirteen points is a big deficit to recover. Not impossible, but it would be a massive gap for us to close. Manchester City are outstanding every week and they understand the importance of this game at Stamford Bridge. They are the leaders and they will be a massive challenge for us. They’ve already played at United and Liverpool and are still unbeaten and now they come to Chelsea.  If they get the win they want, they will almost come out of the game with the assurance that there is one less team in the running for the title. Getting back to seven points would be ideal for us.  A draw would also maintain the gap and allow other teams to get nearer to them. We all agree Tottenham and Manchester United are up there challenging them.  Even if we lose, there will be no quitting from us. Let’s see where we all are at the end of this month.  At the beginning of January, then we will know who is still challenging for the title.”

Roberto Mancini meanwhile says “Last year Chelsea had a big lead over (Manchester) United but in the end United won the title by seven or eight points plus. The Barclays Premier League is very difficult and in these two months, all the teams that play every three days will find it difficult.  I think they can win it. They have 10 points less than us but we play two times against them and there are 24 games until the end of the season.  I think that has shown in the last year he is a good manager.  He did well at Porto, he won trophies.  Chelsea did well to get him.  Carlo Ancelotti is a fantastic manager and I was sorry for him when Chelsea decided to sack him, but I think Villas-Boas is a good manager for them.”

 

 

SQUAD NEWS

For Chelsea, Michael Essien (knee) remains out til next year and David Luiz misses out through suspension. Jose Bosingwa is back in contention and Frank Lampard will no doubt be hoping for a game tonight.

For City, Kolarov (groin) misses out and Micah Richards (calf) is given as doubtful. Zabaleta returns.

 

 

TEAMS

CHELSEA (from): Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Romeu, Ramires, Lampard, McEachran, Mata, Malouda, Meireles, Torres, Drogba, Kalou, Sturridge, Lukaku, Turnbull.

MAN CITY (from): Hart, Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Savic, K Toure, Clichy, Johnson, Milner, Y Toure, De Jong, Barry, Hargreaves, Nasri, Silva, Dzeko, Balotelli, Aguero.

 

 

LAST SEASON

Chelsea 2-0 Man City (20th March 2011)

 

 

PREDICTION

City are clearly flying, with 38 points from 14 games so far whilst we’ve managed 28. Having said that, whilst we seem to be talked about as a club in crisis, we’re in exactly the same position we were this time last season so we’re no worse off yet. Mind you, whilst we’ve won 5 of our last 6 against City at Stamford Bridge, the fact that they’ve scored 48 goals already this season and our defence has been decidely weaker than we’re used to, you’d have to be pretty optimistic to assume we’ll make it 6 out of 7 tonight.

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