MAN CITY v Chelsea – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
15 Aug
After such a convincing performance away to West Brom, Manuel Pellegrini won’t be thinking of making too many changes to the side for this clash with Chelsea. The only two questions marks probably relate to the right-back role and whether Sergio Aguero is ready to be thrown in from the start.
Bacary Sagna was solid at the back and dangerous going forward at the Hawthorns, but Pablo Zabaleta is the number one choice and if Pellegrini believes the Argentine is fit enough to begin the match, then we can expect to see Zabaleta line up.
Otherwise, Wilfried Bony is the only player at risk. His presence depends on Aguero’s fitness and despite the importance of this fixture, bearing in mind the striker’s injury issues over the past couple of years it would be a slight surprise to see him on the pitch, rather than the bench.
Here is the side that Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Martin Atkinson.
Prediction: MAN CITY 1 – 1 Chelsea – We know it is likely to be tight and Chelsea will hope to make it scrappy, but if City can avoid being drawn into that battle and allow our more natural players to flourish, then we could have joy. I’ll predict goals from Aguero and Hazard, with the points shared.
Vincent Kompany at 34/1 and Aleks Kolarov at 23/1 to open the scoring looks to have great value.
Sagna has earned his place in the team for tomorrow, I love zab but like everyone else he must fight for his place back in the team. I was very impressed with the attitude & tempo/aggression last week. Credit were its due for a most positive display from Vincent, he along with the boys know they must keep up that intensity & focus each week, that’s what great sides do. we’re not a great side just yet but if we can find that extra 10% & play the game with maturity we will be. Our record against “the big boys” away from home is very poor, it goes without saying etc + 5, I hope with make a serious move for isco – I’m a big fan of his & feel he would do a big job for us, I’m not going into this “Jose masterclass” bulls**t. The “man” is an utter tramp, the way he “treated that lady last week was despicable – what a complete wa****, go right at them. J.T hates small players turning & running at him; I.e Sergio & raheem, I’m confident in the team putting in a super performance with a 4. Nil win, why not???
Agree with you about Mourinho. And your predictions. VFAB has been vonservative with his predictions this season. I am confident that we will win, with a big margin too.