Battle of the Billionaires

Manchester City travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea this Sunday in a battle between two of football’s richest clubs.

Both clubs harbour faint aspirations of mounting a late title challenge but more realistic goals revolve around securing a top-four finish and Champions League football for next season.

Alex looks set to make his long-awaited return for the home side but the game could come too early for midfielder Yossi Benayoun. Carlo Ancelotti has no other injury concerns ahead of the game.

Adam Johnson is available for selection again after recovering from an ankle injury, Shay Given remains a long-term absentee and Kolo Toure is unavailable due to the ongoing investigations into his failed drugs test.

Manager Roberto Mancini’s biggest decision, however, centres around troublesome striker Mario Balotelli. The young Italian was foolishly sent off in midweek and according to the manager cost his side the chance to progress to the Europa League quarter finals.

"I didn't see the foul properly but I am very disappointed because in a game like this it is very difficult if you pick up a red card, and you can pick up a red card for doing something stupid," said Mancini.

Mancini added "I don't think he'll be in the squad [for the weekend]. Mario thinks he could be a fantastic player. When he does something stupid like that, it's difficult for me."

City are currently two points above this weekend’s opponents in the Premier League table but have played one game more. Failure to pick up maximum points from this game would signal the end of either clubs slim title chances.

The bookmakers have Chelsea as the 4/6 favourites to make it a quick-fire double over the Manchester teams having defeated United three weeks ago to muscle their way back into the title race. City are 5/1 to complete the double over the champions after a Carlos Tevez strike was enough to separate the sides in the embryonic stages of this season.

It’s a measure of how far City have come this season that they go into this game, at this stage of the season, above the champions. But problems with key personnel offer a reminder of just how far they still have to come before they can be considered permanent fixtures of the Premier League’s elite.