Manchester City host Premier League rivals Chelsea on Saturday in a fixture that could be a season defining moment for both sides.
The London based side will be keen to maintain their run of form after back to back victories in both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, especially after Wednesday’s 0-1 win over Tottenham.
Pep Guardiola’s side are currently sitting ten points clear of Chelsea, and will be looking to take their tally to 56 points should they be victorious on Saturday.
City are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games and a win against Chelsea would make it almost impossible for the Londoners to be crowned champions at the end of the season.
The reigning champions have pieced together an 11-game winning streak in the Premier League and with the added incentive of extinguishing the Blues title hopes they are looking ominous ahead of Saturday’s game.
Team News
City were left without seven of their first team starters thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak that struck before their game against Swindon and their our doubts as to how many of those will be available for tomorrow’s tie.
It is understood that Oleksandr Zinchenko and Phil Foden may still be unavailable for selection, as well as Riyad Mahrez who is on international duty whilst playing at the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria.
Defender John Stones is supposedly nearer to selection as he recovers from a minor injury however Aymeric Laporte will replace Nathan Ake if the brit is ruled out of selection yet again.
Finally for City, Ederson is expected to be handed the gloves instead of Zack Steffen as long as he is not still part of the COVID-affected group.
Over to Chelsea now who are still left without full backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell, James recovering from a hamstring injury whilst his partner at the back nurses an ACL injury.
N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva could earn themselves starts after their appearances off the bench against Spurs however it will be tough for them to replace Kovacic or Jorginho.
Prediction
Guardiola’s side have had no trouble in finding the back of the net this season, scoring in their last seven games at home across all tournaments despite not having a recognised striker for much of the campaign.
City have still averaged at least three goals per Premier League game at the Etihad and it will be hard for Thomas Tuchel’s fatigued side to counteract this seemingly inevitable attack.
That being said, Chelsea have been outstanding away from home this season winning six of their last eight games outside of Stamford Bridge whilst only conceding an impressive six goals.
Park Life Sports prediction is Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea.
