Less than two weeks after losing their domestic unbeaten home record to Chelsea in their Premier League encounter, Manchester City face Jose Mourinho’s side in the fifth round of the FA Cup. There’s no doubt City were second best for much of that match but they still had plenty of opportunities which they failed to capitalise on. They also drew a blank in their following match as they were held to a 0-0 draw with away to Norwich last weekend. City should have played Sunderland on Wednesday evening but due to high winds that match was postponed for safety reasons. It may not have been the worst news for them as it gives them a few days more rest after what has been a very busy period – ahead of another flood of fixtures – especially as it’s against a rival in a match where they will be hoping to avenge their first defeat since November.
For all Mourinho’s claims that his Chelsea team is not a realistic contender for this season’s Premier League, it’s the blues who sit on top as the league action takes a back seat this weekend. They held on to first place despite conceding a late goal and surrendering two points in their match at West Brom as Arsenal could only match that result 24 hours later whilst the aforementioned City were not in action. It means that Chelsea have a credible chance of the three competitions they remain in and it’s testament to the ability of their manager to build a side capable of challenging for major honours in a short space of time. A trip to the Etihad would hold fears for many a side considering the form that City have been in there this season, but as was proven a fortnight ago, Chelsea thrive in those situations.
Despite a huge squad and vast resources at his disposal, Manuel Pellegrini has found the last couple of weeks very trying as he’s struggled to cope without the likes of Fernandinho, Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero. All three have been huge players for the sky blues this season and their absence has been sorely felt. It’s doubtful any of the three will be involved on Saturday but their return cannot come soon enough for a side who are struggling for goals without them.
Chelsea have hardly been scintillating in their progress to this stage of the competition after seeing off Stoke 1-0 at home in the previous round which followed a professional 2-0 away success against Championship side Derby County. Unlike City who have their Champions League last 16 match the midweek after this game, Chelsea have the advantage of another week until that match so they are likely to be at full strength as they bid to do a quickfire double of the blue half of Manchester.
It should be another intriguing game as these two managers simply don’t like each other and both have made that clear in recent weeks. I fully expect these two to battle it out for the Premier League in the coming weeks and months. I think City can gain revenge for losing the league encounter and progress into the last eight of the FA Cup.
Manchester City 6/5 @ Stan James
