It’s another huge game this weekend for City as the dethroned champions meet the team responsible for that tag as Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea come to town.
Our first home game couldn’t be much tougher against a Chelsea side who only lost a total of two times throughout the whole of last season at Newcastle and West Brom respectively. The West Londoners did drop points at home to Swansea in a 2-2 draw last Saturday however, which means another win for Manuel Pellegrini’s side this Sunday will accelerate them five points ahead of the champions; a healthy lead for such an early stage of the season.
Fernando and new signing Fabian Delph are the only players missing from the City squad this weekend. Delph is expected to be out for a few more weeks while he recovers from a hamstring injury he sustained in the pre-season game against Real Madrid. Yaya Toure was substituted in the last game against West Brom holding his groin; however he has been declared fit for this Sunday’s visit of Chelsea despite this. Full-back Gael Clichy may return after a slight ankle knock, but he may struggle to get into the side considering Kolarov’s good performance on Monday.
In what is the major team news ahead of this game, Chelsea’s first choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is serving a one-match ban for his sending off he received against Swansea. Asmir Begovic will replace him in goal; so this is an area that City will look to exploit with their explosive attacking firepower despite Begovic’s obvious qualities. Brazilian midfielder Oscar is a doubt after a minor training injury.
Despite City finishing eight points behind Chelsea last season, they have enjoyed a fruitful record against The Blues in the last seven meetings with them at the Etihad, winning five, drawing one and losing one. Both games last season ended in 1-1 draws; the home tie being remembered fondly for Frank Lampard’s historic goal against his old side. We had David Silva to thank for our point at Stamford Bridge last term as he cancelled out Loic Remy’s opener to rescue us a point in the capital.
This really is a huge game for City and gives them the chance to show the rest of the Premier League that they mean business after a below par season last term, despite finishing second. Considering Chelsea’s struggle against Swansea last weekend, together with the league table not taking shape as of yet, this early in the season could be a good time to play Mourinho’s men.
