Saturday 3rd December 2016 Kickoff: 1230hrs
Manchester City v Chelsea
Football – England – Premier League
This weekend sees a host of very interesting games in the Premier League with plenty to play for, particularly at the top of the table. However, unless you are a fan of one of the other 18 teams in the top flight, the most intriguing of the lot takes place at the Etihad as Manchester City play host to Chelsea. It is third versus first and whoever wins will take top spot before the rest of the teams take to the field for their games. To add extra intrigue to the game, it will also be the first time that Pep Guardiola has faced Antonio Conte since their playing days.
There has been some criticism aimed at Man City this term for somewhat inconsistent displays but the fact of the matter is they are still in good shape in the Premier Leaguer being only one point behind the current leaders – Chelsea. Anticipation was of course huge with the arrival of Guardiola but like anything, it’s going to take time – particularly with the intensity that he likes his teams to play at. The only team to have beaten them in the league remains Tottenham when they were simply outplayed, but three draws in their last six games have curtailed their attempts to sit at the top of the table and it’s those points which could prove to be crucial. Last weekend’s win over Burnley was much needed for a number of reasons, not least because it was the first time they managed three points on the back of a European game since September. City finish off their Champions League group stage this coming midweek but as they can finish no better or worse than second, the game against Chelsea takes all their concentration and focus.
Having lost to both Liverpool and Arsenal earlier in the season in consecutive weeks, and convincingly so, there were huge doubts about Chelsea’s ability to mount a serious title challenge. Those doubts also presided because of their dire title defence last term. Now in December, however, it’s a much different story at Stamford Bridge as they sit above everybody else and are the form team in the league. Last weekend’s come from behind win at home to rivals Tottenham was their seventh straight league win and they have all come after Conte’s well publicized change in formation. The Blues started the season with a back four but the Italian manager – who has used a back three for the majority of his career for both club and country – reverted back to type and it’s a change which has caught opposition manager’s on the hop. Chelsea have also benefited from not competing in European football this season allowing the coach (who only arrived this summer after the European Championships) extra time to work with his new players on the training ground. Saturday will be another huge test for them though, especially as the last time they played away to a team challenging for the title they were thumped 3-0.
It’s at home where City have struggled the most having drawn with Everton, Southampton and Middlesbrough in their last three league games at the Etihad. In all those games the home team have enjoyed huge chunks of possession and create plenty of chances as a result so it would be foolish to be overly critical of their home form, especially as they have defeated Barcelona 3-1 in the Champions League amongst those games. That said, Guardiola would have liked to be in better form generally, ahead of what has the makings of an epic battle between two of the favourites for the title. He will also the relish the challenge of being the first to get the better of Conte’s formation and will have a precise game plan in his head. He will have a fully fit squad to choose from, with the exception of Vincent Kompany.
Anything that could go wrong did go wrong for Chelsea last season but one of the most frustrating things for their supporters was the lack of appetite and passion shown by some of their key players. Diego Costa and Eden Hazard were at the top of that list and there were plenty of doubts as to whether or not they would be around under the new management. We know now that they did have a future at the club and they are very much returning to the top of their game. Both players are massive reasons as to why Chelsea are at the top of the table and have terrorized defences all season. Costa, particularly, has that desire and hunger back and he’s looking much like his old self as a result – which is a worry for central defenders.
Manchester City v Chelsea Betting Tips
Nothing will be decided in this game tomorrow in terms of the title but it still has the makings of a crucial game in both teams season. City have been winning games without really hitting top form and struggling to the three points, whilst Chelsea have lost against the other teams in and around them at the top of the table and will be looking to lay down a marker at the home of another rival. Both managers have enjoyed success wherever they have been and were always likely to be in the mix of the title race when they arrived at their respective clubs.
Chelsea are in much better form at the moment in my opinion and that goes a long way in these kind of games. City will not lack for confidence by any means and have plenty of weapons to hurt the visitors but their defence remains a real worry. The only time they have kept a clean sheet in the league at home this season was against Bournemouth back in September, and it’s not as if they have been playing against the better teams in the league, either. Chelsea tend to be more conservative on the road and sit deeper looking to counter but the nature of this match screams goals to me and over 2.5 is the selection.
Over 2.5 goals 3/4 Sportingbet
