Manchester City v Chelsea
Sunday 16th August – Kickoff: 1600hrs
Football – England – Premier League
These two clubs are responsible for winning three of the last four Premier League titles between them and look the most likely to fight it out between them this season. Chelsea – the current holders – got off to a disappointing start last week at home to Swanswa, being held 2-2. The result of that match has been overshadowed by a dispute between Jose Mourinho and his medical staff, however, so the whole club will be glad to get back to matters on the field on Sunday. Manchester City were very impressive in their 3-0 win at West Brom on Monday and looked much like the team who won the title back in 2013/14, as opposed to the one that mustered a half-hearted defence of it last season. With home advantage, allied to the performances of both on the opening weekend, it is the home side who come into this as favourites.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the win over West Brom for Manuel Pellegrini would have been the dominant display of Yaya Toure. The Ivorian suffered a lot of criticism last season for not imposing himself on games like he is capable of, but he was back to is best on Monday and if he can maintain that level it will be such a help to his team’s goal of winning their third title in five years. Aside from his two goals, he had much more of an impact compared to a lot of games last season where he was passive. His influence will again be needed against a Chelsea team City have not defeated in their last four league encounters.
Jose Mourinho is never far away from controversy and this week has been no different. The Chelsea manager has banned two of his medical staff from sitting in the dug-out on Sunday following what he perceived as them acting against the best interests of the team in last weekend’s game against Swansea. Whether or not that is the only reason remains to be seen but it definitely took the focus off of what was a pretty abject performance on the pitch. Conceding two goals at home is a rarity for a team managed by Mourinho whilst they never got into the rhythm that was so apparent in the early stages of last season. Chelsea supporters have voiced some concerns about the lack of summer transfer activity and whilst there is still a couple of weeks to go, it certainly looks like the squad could do with a couple of additions to freshen things up.
David Silva was in scintillating form once again for City in the first match of the new season and the benefit of having pace either side of him was there for all to see. It allows the Spanish magician to dictate play from a central area and with options on both flanks, as well as up top, it must be a nightmare for opposition defences to try and nullify that threat. If one team can do it, it’s Chelsea, but they will have their hands full.
Team news for the Champions see’s Thibaut Courtois miss out through suspension and I see that as a massive miss. He has been excellent since establishing himself as number one at the club and the relationship formed with the back four has been instrumental in securing so many clean sheets last season. Asmir Begovic will be his replacement and, despite plenty of experience of this league, it will be interesting to see how he copes with the different experience of playing for one of the top clubs against a rival, particularly away from home.
Manchester City v Chelsea Betting Tips
It is almost a waste to have this game so early in the season as neither team will hit top form for a few weeks yet. Manchester City definitely looked more up-to-speed in their opening fixture and should they win on Sunday at the Etihad, it would open up a five point lead over Chelsea. That would be more a psychological advantage than anything else at this stage but it’s an advantage nonetheless. Mourinho has a history of trying to spoil these types of games and would no doubt be happy with a point to take back to London.
The onus will be on the home side to take the game to their opponents, something which they have been unable to do successful in the past couple of meetings when at home. It should be noted that they drew both matches against Chelsea last season, though, despite not hitting top form. That leads me to thinking that if they can maintain the intensity they showed in the first hour against West Brom, they are well-placed to take all three points once again. Silva and Toure hold the key, in my view, and if Sergio Aguero is fit enough to start then those three can expose the same issues Swansea had so much joy against last week.
Manchester City 15/13 @ Betfair
