Chelsea v Man City Betting Preview
The big clash of the Premier League weekend will be coming our way from Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Chelsea are going through a poor run of form and have a new man in charge, with Rafa Benitez being thrown in at the deep end after Roberto Di Matteo got the sack. How much of a galvanizing effect will having a new manager have on the spirits of Chelsea, who have lost their winning touch. Manchester City remain the only side in the toup four tiers of English football who haven’t suffered defeat this season, but they don’t have a good record at Chelsea and actually go into the match as underdogs, even with the differences in current form and the turmoil at the London club.
Chelsea v Man City Betting Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Chelsea 6/4, Man City 9/5, Draw 23/10
Chelsea v Man City Recommended Bet:
Perhaps the biggest question about the arrival of Rafa Benitez, is whether or not he can get the best out of Fernando Torres, who continues to look a lost figure in a Chelsea shirt. Will Benitez be able to restore the Spaniards’ confidence. Chelsea have to stick with him because they have no other option up front with Daniel Sturridge out injured. Torres was dropped from Chelsea’s starting 11in their midweek Champions League defeat against Juventus in Turin, so will he get restored? Chelsea have defensive problems, something Benitez needs to rapidly fix because they haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last ten matches. It is not as if they have even found any solace from their troubles at home, having gone two matches without a win now at Stamford Bridge in the league.
That controversial defeat against Manchester United and blowing a lead against Liverpool put an end to four straight wins at the Bridge from the start of the season.The Blues have scored an average of 2.33 goals per game at home, but have conceded at a rate of over a goal per game. They have lost just two of their last 15 Premier League matches on home soil though, winning 10 so are still a strong prospect. Against Man City, the Blues have taken six wins from the last season matches against City, so they are quite backable at home in this fixture despite their current issues of no win in four Premier League. Rafa Benitez may bring a good influence too because he has only lost one of his 12 Premier League meetings against Man City.
But City have strengths too outside of their form at Stamford Bridge. They have won five of the last seven in all competitions against Chelsea including this year’s Community Shield at Wembley. City are unbeaten in their last 18 matches in the Premier League and they took top spot for the first time this season last weekend. City will bring the best defence in the league to Stamford Bridge, having conceded just 10 goals so far this season. Since City lost 2-1 last December at Stamford Bridge, only once have they conceded more than one goal in an away game. Carlos Tevez could be one to watch as he has scored six goals in his last six Premier League matches against Chelsea. City, who have won their last two in the Premier League have a four point lead over third placed Chelsea and with Man United breathing down their neck, a win for City could open up a big divide from the top two to the rest of the chasing pack. Chelsea actually look favourites but City are tremendously resilient. However, Chelsea’s average of two goals per game at home may just sneak it, and a Chelsea -0.5 Asian Handicap for a price of 11/8 at online bookmaker Paddy Power looks decent.
Form
Chelsea DDWDLL, Man City WDDWWD
Stat Attack
Chelsea haven’t kept a clean sheet in ten matches
The Blues have beaten City in six of the last seven league meetings at Stamford Bridge
City have won five of the last seven against Chelsea in all competitions
Chelsea have lost just two of the last 15 Premier League matches at home
City are unbeaten in their last 18 PRemier League away games
Online bookmaker Promotion
There is no denying the attacking quality that Manchester City can produce and Sergio Aguero is usually at the head of things. If City’s Aguero scores the final goal of the game on Sunday in Chelsea v Man City betting, then Paddy Power will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score and Scorecast singles placed on the match. Plenty of great coverage for your big match betting from the bookie, who also provides superb live in play betting options, paddy Power offer a free £50 bet for new customers registering an account with them, matching the value of your first stake on a new account.
