Manchester City will try to inflict a second consecutive defeat on Chelsea when they travel to the Stamford Bridge with the hopes of injecting life into their barren title hope. Chelsea’s loss to Crystal Palace has acted as a huge impetus for Manchester City who were held to a 2-2 draw by Arsenal.
Chelsea still have a seven point gap over Tottenham Hotspur and could virtually seal the title with a win over Pep Guardiola’s side. Antonio Conte’s side saw their 12 matches unbeaten run halted by a spirited Crystal Palace. Despite putting up a top notch performance, the home side failed to break the juggernaut as Palace defence held on to their lines brilliantly.
This could be the last chance for Manchester City to get their title hunt back on track and Sergio Aguero has to take added responsibility to give City an edge over the Blues. Aguero has scored seven goals in this fixture including the brilliant hat-trick last season at Stamford Bridge.
The onus will be on Chelsea as the Blues haven’t lost consecutive matches at the Stamford Bridge against City since December 1983.
Team News And Predicted Lineups
Chelsea
Victor Moses is facing a race against time to regain his fitness and if he fails to make it, Pedro will deputise on the right flank. Antonio Conte has tweaked his formation a little bit and Cesc Fabregas will be called up to the starting lineup again.
Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Matic, Kante, Pedro, Alonso; Hazard, Costa, Fabregas
Manchester City
Barring Bacary Sagna, Guardiola doesn’t have any injury concerns.
Caballero; Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Clichy; Fernandinho; Sterling, De Bruyne, Silva, Sane; Aguero
Key Player
Leroy Sane
The German teenager has been the main threat for City in the last few matches. With the match poised to be a tight one, Sane has to use this platform to rise to the occasion. The 21-year-old has made the left wing ohis own and has netted five goals in the last eight matches. He has the ability to shine and could be the key player for the visiting side.
Chelsea
Eden Hazard
Given the form of this Belgian wizard, City has all the reasons to worry. Although the City defence have looked more solid and stronger than before but if Hazard is on song, he can simply tear apart the opponent’s defence. Conte has been deploying him in a more central position to involve him more in the attack.
