Manchester City face their next big test in the Premier League campaign this season when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Monday evening to take on Chelsea.
These two sides had different fortunes last week in the Champions League, despite both teams picking up big wins against established European clubs. It was Andre Villas-Boas’ side who made it through to the last 16 of the competition, with Roberto Mancini having to settle for a place in the Europa League.
City are two points clear at the top of the Premier League but do have a game in hand over rivals Manchester United in second place. They would be delighted to come away from London with a point to extend the gap back to three points following a tricky round of fixtures on their part. The draw is priced up at 12/5 and looks the most likely outcome.
Chelsea have found a bit of form recently with wins over Valencia and Newcastle but, with respect to both of those sides, they don’t possess the quality and threat that City will bring on Monday evening. They will though be buoyed by their recent success and it could finally ignite their season.
Monday’s game is another chance for Villas-Boas to prove that Chelsea are still in the hunt for the Premier League title and that they are capable of matching City on the field, despite not being able to compete with the Manchester club in the transfer market anymore.
Didier Drogba showed his importance to the Blues on Tuesday evening when he scored twice against the Spanish opposition to help his side into the last 16 of the Champions League. The 33-year old reminded Chelsea fans that he still has a big part to play in the future of the club despite the exit looming for his former strike partner Nicolas Anelka. Take the Ivorian to score the first goal in the game at 9/2.
Mancini’s men have already travelled to Old Trafford, Anfield and White Hart Lane in the league this season, so this is one of the few remaining difficult away visits that they will have to deal with. If they keep their unbeaten record intact it would be a big point as they look to win their first Premier League title.
The visitors have scored 24 goals on the road this season in just five Premier League fixtures. Mancini has neglected the more cautious approach he adopted last year and is quite happy for his stars to play attacking and expansive football home and away. If he continues to use these tactics at Stamford Bridge it should be make for an exciting and open game. The 14/1 on a 2-2 draw looks a really tasty proposition.
Although City can’t win the Premier League title with a win at Stamford Bridge, a defeat for Chelsea could end their slim hopes of winning the league this season. The Blues will be 13 points behind the leaders following defeat on Monday evening.
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