This weekend, two of the English Premier League’s biggest teams collide in an early-season shootout. Chelsea have burst out of the gates, winning their first four games to grab sole position of the league’s top spot. They can make it five in a row when they face Manchester City who are desperate to bounce back from their humiliating 1-0 home defeat to Stoke City last time out.
Read on for a complete preview of this matchup and while you’re at it you can check out our preview of the highly-anticipated Juventus vs. AC Milan clash of the two best teams in the Italian Serie A.
[sc:Soccer ]Chelsea vs. Manchester City Betting Preview
Where: City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England
When: Sunday, September 21, 11:00 AM ET
Line: Chelsea +182 at Manchester City +123, tie +225; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
What’s at Stake
[sc:Soccer240banner ]It’s still too early for it to be called a title decider but Chelsea has a fantastic opportunity to create some separation with the defending champions in this match. Jose Mourinho’s men can go eight points clear of Manchester City with a win on Sunday. Manchester City, on the other hand, can close the gap to just two points with a victory and bring a much-needed boost to their title-retention bid.
Betting on Chelsea
After a disappointing return last season during which he failed to bring home any silverware, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho deemed it necessary to bolster his lineup this past offseason. At the top of his priorities was a striker in the mould of club legend Didier Drogba. One who can bang in the goals when needed.
He quickly identified Spanish international Diego Costa as the man for the job. Costa had a breakout year last season with Atletico Madrid, scoring a total of 36 goals as he led the club to their first La Liga title in 18 years.
Chelsea’s top brass paid a hefty $32 million fee for the services of the 25-year-old last July. Based on his performances so far this season, it definitely looks like money well spent for the West London side.
Costa has already scored seven goals in four matches this season, including a hat trick in last Saturday’s 4-2 win over fellow leaders Swansea. Even Jose Mourinho is surprised with how quickly his prized signing has adapted, saying “seven in four is maybe too much. It is something that is not normal.”
They will face their biggest test this season so far when they square off with the defending champions Manchester City this coming Sunday. Chelsea dominated Manchester City in the Premier League last season pulling off the double against them.
In the same fixture last February, Chelsea eked out a tight 1-0 victory as they gave Manchester City its first home defeat last season. They will look to repeat the feat this coming Sunday and they will be confident they can get the desired result with the way their offense is operating right now.
They have scored the most number of goals in the Premier League this season with a total of 15, six more than second-placed Everton.
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Betting on Manchester City
After a strong start to their title defense, Manchester City have stumbled in their last two games, gaining just a point from a possible six to leave them at the middle of the table early in the season.
This is City’s first home game after that stunning 1-0 loss to Stoke City last August 30. Mame Biram Diouf had a fantastic solo strike in the 58th minute, racing down the field before slotting it under City goalkeeper Joe Hart to give Stoke City the narrow one-goal win.
Those kind of slip-ups were rare for Manchester City last season as they were totally dominant at the City of Manchester stadium. They posted a 17-1-1 record at home last year with their only defeat coming against their opponents this coming weekend, Chelsea.
With the Chelsea attack in full flow, the onus is on captain Vincent Kompany to hold the fort for the Manchester City rear guard. They have the fifth-best defense so far in the league allowing just one goal a game.
One source of concern however is their struggle on the offensive end. Last year, Manchester City potted a total of 102 goals, one short of the all-time record. In four games this season, they have just scored seven.
Fortunately for them, star forward Sergio Aguero is off to a solid start this season. He has already scored three goals in the league this year, including a deadly finish against Arsenal last weekend. The Argentine is crucial to City’s chances not only in this clash against Chelsea but in their bid to retain the title this season.
Manchester City won their last meeting against Chelsea at the City of Manchester stadium albeit it was in an FA Cup tie. The Citizens won 2-0 courtesy of goals from Stevan Jovetic and Samir Nasri.
Writer’s Prediction
Manchester City and Chelsea play each other tightly en route to an entertaining draw (+225).
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