Manchester City v Chelsea : Premier League Preview

Games between Manchester City and Chelsea are becoming something of a regular occurence so far this season. This match at the Etihad stadium will be the 3rd encounter so far after the Community Shield and the match at Stamford Bridge.

And there is already the prospect of another game at Wembley Stadium in the Carabao Cup Final in just two weeks time. So it is probably fair to say that so far as fans we are beginning to experience a certain monotony about the fixture. It is not to say we are not looking forward to the match, because we are, but there is familiarity about the game that is wearing.

As Manchester City fans this is a familiar predicament. We seem to have history of drawing teams in Cup games in the days immediately after facing a team in the League. And I guess as we get towards the later stages of a cup competition it is more likely that we face the more consistent performers.

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This upcoming league game will be stressful to watch as a fan of either team, as it is likely to be a close encounter between two sides who will both try and play attacking football. This will be played at a high pace and fortune will favour the brave. Clean sheets will be distant memories.

The real concern I have is the referee – Mike Dean – who currently sits on having awarded 99 red cards in his Premier League career, having awarded the most cards to two teams – you have guessed it – Manchester City and Chelsea (9 each). Given this is a game likely to be played at high speed the referee will be called upon to let the game flow, but Mike Dean has a history and often likes to be at the centre of the action. I expect at least one red card in the match and the pessimist in me thinks it will be a City one.

What would really make Mike Dean’s day would be the opportunity to send off Pep. Guardiola will most likely react in an incendiary blaze to anticipated poor decisions so if he ends up on the touchline at the end of the match we will have to consider it as a bonus. It is probably time to pray to the footballing gods to not let this match be decided by a bad refereeing decision.

City go into this game with just the usual suspects unavailable – Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany. At the moment neither player seems to have a firm date set to return to action. Putting that to one side it is likely we will see a familiar looking City side line up against Chelsea. the biggest decision for Guardiola will come in midfield and which 2 of the 3 out of Bernardo, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne will start.

It is my view that City have this year reached something of a turning point and consequently I would prefer to see Bernardo against Chelsea rather than David Silva. The energy may be more needed against a side likely to play attacking football and counter. For similar reasons I would prefer to see Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling either side of Sergio Aguero in attack.

We have reached a point where based on recent performances our defence picks itself. Hopefully we can continue to build upon the momentum of recent games and make a statement to return to the top of the league, where we will sit for at least a week.

Man City Square Predicted Starting XI

Goalkeeper

Ederson

Defenders

Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Aymeric Laporte

Midfield

Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne

Attack

Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling