Manchester City v Chelsea Match Preview

Manchester City face a daunting away trip to London on Saturday to face Chelsea in the Premier League. Last season City won a thrilling encounter which set them up for a run of games leading to their record breaking title win. Can a similar result be expected against a much changed Chelsea team?

Last season Manchester City had an epic game against Sarri’s Napoli in the Champions League. This was a scintillating encounter which pulsed between competing attacks. City eventually ran out winners but this was by far the most challenging and thrilling game of the year. The thought of facing another Sarri team in the Premier League is eagerly anticipated and I am hoping for another spectacle of football. I am also hoping that we win.

We have already faced Chelsea this season in the curtain raising game of the Community Shield but I do not think too much should be read into that game where we easily ran out 2:0 winners. That was more of a friendly than a competitive match and both sides had too many players absent or untrained.

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Sarri has now had some time to establish his systems upon the Chelsea team and they have begun to resemble his Napoli side in approach. However it still looks to me like the side is unfinished and he needs one or two players capable of his technical approach. Right now there are some great players like Kante who appear to be square pegs in round holes in the tactical structure.

This should all make for a good game as I believe Chelsea will seek to attack City from the kick off. Of course Manchester City are unable to call upon their match winner from last season – Kevin De Bruyne – who although has returned to first team training, is unlikely to be rushed back. City are likely to instead rely upon the midfield combination who have achieved so much so far this season – the two Silvas.

Most worryingly for Manchester City is the continued absence of leading scorer, Sergio Aguero. Aguero has been sidelined with an abductor injury sustained in training. This is a game where his accuracy in front of goal is needed.

Defensively I believe Pep Guardiola will line up with his preferred options, believing he does not have to counter the physical attacking threat posed by Chelsea. So a foresee a return to the Stones/Laporte partnership.

This is a big test for our team, given the ongoing threat posed by Liverpool. A victory away at Chelsea will not only be a big statement, but will restate our morale following stuttering performances.