Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker:
In what promises to be a mouth-watering affair this weekend, Chelsea and Manchester City will face off at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime.
Chelsea
Starting with the hosts, managing to extend on their EFL Cup adventure with a penalties victory against Aston Villa in midweek, the mood in Chelsea s camp should be at a real high. Only continuing to impress since bringing Thomas Tuchel to Stamford Bridge earlier in the year, many have tipped the Blues as a leading contender in the title chase this season. Last seen on Premier League duties putting in another stellar display on the road, the former PSG boss saw his side land London bragging rights thanks to a thumping 3-0 win against Tottenham. Breezing past their bitter rivals across the capital, Chelsea have picked up 13 points from their opening five top-flight matchups. Opening this weekend s fixtures sat at the top of the table, there is no doubt that Tuchel will be hoping for a repeat of May s European showdown out in Portugal. Lifting their second Champions League crown thanks to that famous 1-0 win, the Blues should be looking to lay down another marker.
Team News
Chelsea have confirmed that keeper Edouard Mendy is in a race against pain and time to play against Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime. It is likely that Kepa Arrizabalaga will retain his spot between the sticks.
Making an immediate impact following his return from injury, key midfielder N Golo Kante could be in line for a start at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have seen League One outfit Wycombe take a stunning lead on EFL Cup duties in midweek, the Sky Blues eventually breezed their way to the fourth-round. Showing their remarkable squad depth and leaving the Etihad with a 6-1 romp on home soil, Head Coach Pep Guardiola will be desperate to keep up that momentum. Knowing that they face a stern test when they travel to west London on Saturday, the defending Premier League champions will also be hoping to fully put last weekend s toothless display behind them. Struggling to create much in the final third, the former Bayern Munich boss saw his side have to settle for a shock 0-0 stalemate at home against Southampton. However, watching Chelsea snatch the Champions League crown from them out in Portugal over the summer, it should be noted that they hold a worrying record against their title rivals. Including May s European defeat, they have lost each of their last three meetings against Saturday s hosts.
Team News
Manchester City have confirmed that both defenders Aymeric Laporte and John Stones will once again miss out this weekend due to injury issues. Likewise, Oleksandr Zinchenko is another doubt at Stamford Bridge.
However, both starting against Wycombe in midweek, Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden could retain their spot in Pep Guardiola s starting XI.
Key Factors to Consider
