On Sky
Following the fine win in Gelsenkirchen, in midweek, Chelsea get back to domestic action this Sunday afternoon with a top of the table clash with Manchester City and as far as the action goes this weekend, this is the game everybody wants to see. Can Chelsea maintain their current good run of home form, in the Premier League, with another win? I certainly hope so.
Vital Quotes:
Manchester City appears, in recent times to have taken over the mantle, from Chelsea, as the Premier League`s big spenders. It is something Jose Mourinho latched onto in his pre-match press conference when he compared City now to the Chelsea of his first spell at Stamford Bridge, with the Special One remarking,
“You have to say that. You said that in 2004 and 2005, so now it`s up to you to say yes or no.”
“Manuel can win the title here. He has the most important thing which is an unbelievable squad.”
“They lost a couple of games that, normally, they wouldn`t. That`s football.”
“We lost against Everton and United lost to West Brom.”
“City have won just twice away, in Moscow and at West Ham, and they are not easy to win.”
“They have been a squad, season after season, who are bigger with huge investment.”
Chelsea Team News:
Marco Van Ginkel remains side-lined with his knee injury but there is better news relating to Ashley Cole, the left back is available for selection as confirmed by Jose Mourinho at his press conference.
Elsewhere in the squad, it just remains to be seen who Jose chooses to chop and change to suit the opposition.
Player to watch: Fernando Torres
In my opinion the Spaniard did enough against FC Schalke 04 to be given the striker role for this fixture, but then again Samuel Eto`o did notch our first goal from a striker against Cardiff City last weekend!
Manchester City Team News:
Manchester City have suffered a huge blow with the news that Vincent Kompany has not been unable to shake off his recent injury and will miss the fixture. Another who remains side-lined is Martin Demichelis who has yet to make his City debut after picking up a knee injury. However, City have a raft of talent in their squad and are good enough to give any side around a decent game.
Player to watch: Sergio Aguero
I`m still gutted he never came to Chelsea and his skills have, since he arrived on these shores, illuminated the Premier League.
Match Facts & Stats
City`s record at Stamford Bridge is, to be honest, poor. In their last fifteen visits they`ve only won once, that being back in February 2010. In those fifteen games Chelsea have won 10 and drawn 4.
But when you consider all competitions, City have the edge. In the last ten games played they`ve won 7, drawn 1 and lost 2.
Ref Watch:
Our officials for this fixture are:-
Referee – H. Webb
Assistant – D. Cann
Assistant – S. Ledger
Fourth Official – C. Foy
Match Prediction:
I reckon this fixture, despite Jose indicating differently, is our hardest of the season so far. City have so many classy players and although we`ve been showing some good form of late, we`ll need to move up a gear to get anything out of this one. Can we do it? I don`t see why not. Cometh the hour cometh the man, but who will that man be!
Next Fixtures:
The games don`t get any easier, in midweek we make the short trip to N to take on Arsenal in a League Cup tie.