If the first round of the Premier league was not exciting enough, this week’s fixtures are sure to provide some mouth-watering battles. The Etihad will host its first match of the season Sunday night, when Manchester City take on champions Chelsea.
Both clubs could not have had a more contrasting start to the season. While a 10 man Chelsea battled out a difficult 2-2 draw at home to Swansea, Man City overcame a disappointing West Brom at the Hawthorns with relative ease.
With the season only just beginning, this fixture will already prove to be a vital one in the title race. It has all the makings of a dynamite clash between two of the best teams in England. Both will undoubtedly be going for the win, neither would settle for any less at such an early stage in the season.
Key Battle – Yaya Toure vs Nemanja Matic
A battle between two of the most commanding central-midfielders in the league, Yaya Toure and Nemanja Matic are in many ways quite identical. They act as towering figures that provide an excellent shield to their respective defences. Good on the ball and strong in the tackle, both individuals are considered to be amongst the best defensive-midfielders in the modern game.
The only difference between them is separated by Toure’s immense quality in front of goal. The Ivorian powerhouse put in a man of the match performance scoring a brace, including a fantastic curling effort, in last weekend’s fixture. He will be hopeful to put in another top-class performance in a bid for his side to claim all three points over the current title holders.
While Matic lacks the Ivorian’s eye for goal, his strength certainly lies in his defensive abilities. The big Serbian was brought back to Chelsea at the start of 2013 with a view to strengthen the middle of the park, which is exactly what happened. Matic has provided the perfect balance to the Blues midfield line, which grants players like Oscar and Cesc Fabregas the opportunity to play slightly higher-up on the pitch. His ability to break-up a play and start one in an instant is almost second to none in the Premier League.
Sunday’s fixture will see both players battle it out for midfield supremacy.
Team News
City will be without the injured Gael Clichy and Fabian Delph, while Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic have recently left the club. Toure remains a doubt, but is more likely than not to start the match. The Argentine trio of Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis and Sergio Aguero are still looking for match-fitness, although the star hitman might be given a start in this one.
Manchester City expected XI (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart, Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala, Alexsandar Kolarov, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero.
Chelsea will miss first choice keeper Thibaut Courtois, who is serving a one-match ban after he received a straight red in the opening week’s fixture. Asmir Begovic will deputise in the Belgian’s absence. Otherwise, Mourinho can boast of an injury free-squad.
Chelsea expected XI (4-2-3-1): Asmir Begovic, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Cesar Azpillicueta, Ramires, Nemanja Matic, Willian, Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard, Diego Costa.
[interaction id=”55cd96905323c30959c5dd34″]
Head-to-head
The game marks the 138th encounter between the two sides in all competitions, of which City have won 45 and Chelsea have won 54, while the remaining 38 matches ended as draws.
Prediction
It surely is not easy to pick a winner from the two, but the best money would be on City to narrowly edge this one. With Chelsea missing Courtois in goal, Pellegrini’s men hold a slight upper hand, although Begovic will work as a fantastic replacement for the suspended Belgian. Take nothing away from the Sky Blues though, they were brilliant against West Brom, but will need to be even better against a resilient Chelsea.
Manchester City 2 Chelsea 1
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
