Manchester City

(Form check: DWDWW)

Manchester City currently sit in 3rd position in the Barclays Premier League, a single point away from top spot. For those City supporters who thought Guardiola’s reign would see City run off with the title the thankless task of seeing their team struggle at home comes as sweet satisfaction from the rest of the chasing teams.

Its clear Guardiola doesn’t know his starting eleven, or even have eleven players he wants in a starting team, taken from the fact a shut out Yaya Toure has been waved back in with open arms. The reliance on Sergio Aguero to win games is coming all too often along with the defensive line looking a shambles conceding in 10/13 games this season.

Good news  coming for City fans though as the home side have won five of the last six home meetings against Chelsea. Kevin de Bruyne, John Stones, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan could earn recalls to the starting line-up but the news on Raheem Sterling has been thin after taking a knock against Burnley.

Chelsea

(Form check: WWWWW)

Superlatives. That’s all I have for this team currently. Their game is open, honest and aggressive with no team seemingly being able to find a chink in the armour. Tottenham Hotspur did for 45 minutes last weekend but over the 90 minutes they were simply outgunned. Conte revels in the misery his side shares to others but this will be his and their stiffest task to date, if they can get through this they could cement Premier League Title contender status.

Without Europe and the EFL Cup Chelsea’s players have a lovely midweek break each week to get prepped for the weekend action, a certain help to reduce injuries as the aching muscles have time to heal. I can imagine Mr Conte doesn’t allow them to take it easy though drumming his majestic 3-4-3 tactics into his players. With the team set to be unchanged for the SEVENTH game in a row smiles can be seen all around the blues camp as they look to rebuild from last season’s horror show.

Victory this weekend would see Chelsea win eight consecutive Premier League games for the first time since 2010 (the final three games of 2009-10 and first five in 2010-11).  Diego Costa continues in fine form being involved via assists or scoring in 14 goals, happy punters will have followed closely his presence in front of goal.

STATS

• Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 away matches (Premier League).

• Man City have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Chelsea in all competitions.

• Nemanja Matic has provided six Premier League assists this season, which is one more than in his previous two campaigns combined.

• City have made a league-high 40 changes to their starting XI this season. Conversely, Chelsea's total of seven is the lowest in the top flight

CURRENT MATCH ODDS (BEST PRICED ODDS)

Manchester City: 6/5 (Betfred) - Bet Here!  Draw: 13/5 (Betfair) - Bet Here! Chelsea: 27/10 (Unibet) - Bet Here!

SUMMING UP!

As a punter stats can always be your downfall as I would jump at the chance of Chelsea if it wasn’t for their poor away form to City in the recent era.  City could play unbeatable on the day and Aguero may spark wonder. Having said that grannies golden rule was never change your mind so I’m heading down the blue (dark) road, let it rain goals Hazard and Costa!

MY RECOMMENDED BETS

• Eden Hazard first goal scorer (Best Priced 7/1 Ladbrokes) - Bet Here!

• *Special* Diego Costa to score and Chelsea to win (5/1 William Hill ONLY) - Bet Here!

• Kevin De Bruyne Man of the Match (6/1 Paddy Power Only) - Bet Here!

• Fernandinho to be shown a card (7/5 Bet Victor) - Bet Here!

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