Manchester City vs Chelsea Betting Preview and Tips

To say that Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce is currently walking a tightrope with regard to the security of his job is the understatement of the century. Indeed, such is the plight of the recently appointed England Under-21 coach that the Blues' hierarchy - the triumvirate of Alistair Mackintosh, David Makin and John Wardle - have called a summit meeting, which will take place after City's game against Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday, to determine Pearce's fate. However, before that game and that meeting occur, the Citizens have the small matter of entertaining reigning Premiership champions Chelsea at the City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday evening. With the uncertainty surrounding the club - and the feeling of utter deflation within the squad following three successive home defeats in the league and being dumped out of the FA Cup by Blackburn at the weekend - it's hard to envisage them getting anything from this fixture. Six points above the drop zone and with two games in hand of those beneath them in the current Premiership pecking order, Man City should avoid relegation if they do not thrown away crucial points in matches against the likes of Charlton and Watford. But the other seven fixtures that remain this season are all going to be mighty tough, so every point between now and May 13, the date of their final game of the current campaign away to Spurs, will be precious. Whether Pearce will still be at the helm come what May is far from certain. It goes without saying that, having been usurped by City's neighbours Man Utd at the summit of the table, Chelsea' superiority this season is nowhere near akin to that of last term. But we are still talking about a side that have tasted defeat just once in their last 25 and, as they proved when coming from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Spurs in their FA Cup quarter-final tie at the weekend, they are a resilient side that have no peers when it comes to mental fortitude. Jose Mourinho has reportedly said recently that he would like to coach Real Madrid at some point, but has pledged allegiance to Chelsea for the remainder of his contract. Michael Essien and Didier Drogba have recently extended their contracts but talks are stalking where John Terry and Frank Lampard are concerned as that duo want parity with the club's top earners, Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack. However, still in with a glimmer of hope in the title race, still in their pitching with regard to the Champions League and the FA Cup - and a Carling Cup victory under their belts - it's impossible to question whether motivation is still high within the south west London side. Indeed, Chelsea haven't conceded in five of their last six and, with John Terry poised to return to the fray for this encounter, their defence will be far harder to penetrate than it was for Spurs at the weekend. Although pretty short at 11/10, I am of the opinion that backing Chelsea to win to nil with Paddy Power is a fantastic bet (Skybet go just 5/6). Man City look short on confidence, short on ideas and generally short on hope at the moment. This is reflected via the negative cloud looming over the fans - they were calling for Pearce's dismissal after the Blackburn defeat! The Citizens really need a boost from somewhere, but Chelsea won't be feeling at all charitable and that boost is unlikely to come in this match. Verdict: Chelsea to win to nil @ 11/10 (Paddy Power - free thirty pound bet)