City in Crucial League Collision with Chelsea
- By A.D. Winn on March 19, 2011 23:23 GMT
Two of the richest clubs in British football collide this weekend as fourth placed Chelsea welcome third placed Man City to Stamford Bridge.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea are recovering from a major slump in form which had seen their hopes of retaining the Premier league trophy wane; they are also celebrating reaching the quarter finals of the Champions League with a mouth-watering fixture against Manchester United to come. Before then they face a City side that will be looking to seal Champions League football of their own next season.
Having been knocked out of the Europa League in midweek, City will be relishing a trip to London against a side that they have a decent record against, having won three of the last meetings between the clubs.
Mario Balotelli’s red card against Kiev on Thursday will only see him serve a ban in continental games, but his lack of discipline may see him dropped from the side, despite an issued apology.
Their Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez has netted an impressive six goals in his last five Premier League games against Chelsea. Despite recently suffering from fatigue, he is expected to start alongside Edin Dzeko and David Silva in attack, against a Chelsea defence that may see a few faces returning.
Ancelotti will be delighted with the news that defender Alex looks set to make his return from a knee injury, and will be fighting for a place alongside John Terry and David Luiz. Yossi Benayoun is also rumoured to be close to returning, but may only start as a substitute.
The Italian boss will be hoping that £50m striker Fernando Torres will finally end his goal drought for his new club by bagging a goal or two against the Citizens. They face a side who are yet to record back-to-back wins in the league so far this year.
Form
All Competitions:
Chelsea: LWWWD (8 goals for, 3 against)
Man City: WWLWW (6 goals for, 2 against)
Premier League:
Chelsea: WLDWW (9 goals for, 5 against)
Man City: DWLDW (8 goals for, 5 against)
Premier League 09/10:
Man City 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 2-4 Man City
Premier League 10/11:
Man City 1-0 Chelsea
