Man City vs Chelsea Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man + Predicted Score

Premier League champions Manchester City take on Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon in this weekends stand out game.

Chelsea won this fixture 1-0 last season but it wasn’t enough to stop Manuel Pellegrini’s men from winning the title, as they pipped Liverpool to the trophy with Jose Mourinho’s side finishing third.

However, the Blues have started this season in devastating fashion, winning four out of four, and if they can repeat last seasons win at the Etihad then it would see the West Londoners move eight points clear of City.

That would be a big gap to close even at this early stage of the season, so Pellegrini will be desperate to get a positive result and keep in touch with the early pace setters.

City started the season well, winning their opening two games, but then slumped to a shock 1-0 loss at home to Stoke City before drawing 2-2 away at Arsenal last week to leave them on seven points from their opening four games.

This game is going to be an emotional experience for Frank Lampard with the midfielder coming up against his former side for the first time since ending his 13 year stay at Stamford Bridge at the end of last season, but he’s sure to get a warm welcome from the travelling support tomorrow.

Team news

Man City are set to recall star striker Sergio Aguero are resting him for the midweek loss at Bayern Munich. The Argentine is likely to replace Edin Dzeko in attack with the Serb struggling with a back complaint.

Fernando is still out so Fernandinho will continue alongside Yaya Toure in midfield, while Pellegrini may opt to bring in James Milner as he did against Arsenal to offer some legs against a dangerous Chelsea attack.

Diego Costa will come back in for the Blues after being rested for their midweek draw with Schalke, so Didier Drogba will drop back to the bench.

Mourinho has no fresh injury problems to contend with, but Cesar Azpilicueta will also come back in for Filipe Luis at left-back.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Diego Costa: The Spaniard has settled quickly in England and hit a devastating hat-trick last week against Swansea to take his tally to 7 in just 4 games. No doubt he’ll be the one City will want to keep quiet tomorrow afternoon.

Predicted Score

Man City 1-1 Chelsea: This could be a cagey game with neither side wanting to give anything away to their main rivals so early on in the season, and I think we’ll see these two play out a draw.

What team would you like to see put out and whats your predicted score?