Chelsea v Manchester City Betting Tip – Chelsea, 5 April 2017

Chelsea to get back to winning ways

Premier League Tips

5th April 2017 Kickoff: 2000hrs Chelsea v Manchester City Football – England – Premier League Chelsea suffered a very surprising blip by losing to Crystal Palace at home at the weekend, just giving Tottenham some hope that they can still be caught in the race for the Premier League. That loss also makes the visit of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City even more important as Manchester City look to cement their place in the top four and will be able to play as the underdogs for a change – a tag they have not had too many times in domestic matches this season.

It looked to be business as usual for Antonio Conte and his Chelsea team on Saturday when Cesc Fabregas opened the scoring in the fifth minute. The leaders looked set for their 23rd league win of the season and maintain their 10 point lead over Spurs. Palace had other ideas though, and two quick fire goals meant Chelsea lost at home for the first time since September. It certainly will not be panic stations just yet considering how dominant Conte’s team have been and in many ways the visit of City could just be what is needed to get them back to winning ways as the atmosphere and big match feel will ensure the intensity is back, which was missing at times on Saturday. Should they drop further points at home and Spurs are able to take three points from their match with Swansea then it really would be game on in the title race.

City drew 2-2 with Arsenal on Sunday in what was a very strange game all in. The visitors started like a house on fire and scored in the first five minutes, proceeding to look as though they could score at will each time they went forward. Poor defending cost them yet again, though, and despite going ahead for a second time were unable to hold the lead. It’s pretty much been the story of their season under Guardiola and extended their run of draws to three. Thanks to Manchester United’s own slip ups, the blue half of the city remain in control of the fourth and final Champions League place which – along with the FA Cup semi-final – is their key target for the remainder of this campaign. Guardiola will be well aware of the challenge that awaits both he and his players as they visit a team who have displayed tremendous consistency but he’ll also know that his players have more than enough ability to trouble their hosts – particularly on the back of that weekend defeat.

It’s virtually impossible to predict how Guardiola will line his team up in any game, particularly one where he has to try and combat a system that has been incredibly successful for Chelsea. Conte is known for sticking by his tried and tested (and will remain so despite the weekend loss) which is virtually the opposite of the man in the other dugout so it makes for an intriguing encounter.

Chelsea v Manchester City Betting Tip

Chelsea were 3-1 victors when these two met at the Etihad back in December and it was arguably that game which signaled where these two teams were likely to end up. City looked good in the opening exchanges and were the better team at times. Chelsea, however, adjusted to the circumstances in the game and proved to be too strong, clinical and powerful for their opponents – deservedly running out winners. City players lost their head at the end of that encounter and it could well be that there are some scores to settle on Wednesday.

Although you would never want to lose a game at this time of the season, the defeat to Palace may not have been the worst thing in the world to happen to Chelsea. It would have been extremely unlikely if they were able to negotiate the rest of the campaign without losing and the fact they have another home game to back it up – against this opponent as alluded to earlier – could be what’s required to get them over the line. City are simply a team you cannot trust and one of Conte’s biggest strengths is being able to pinpoint any weaknesses that the opposition may have – in City’s case that’s the defence, particularly right back. Whoever is selected for City will have to face Eden Hazard and that is a battle few will win. It could well be that’s what decides the game but I’m firmly behind Chelsea to win and do the double for Guardiola and City this season.

Chelsea 7/5 @ Bet365