CHELSEA VS MAN CITY REVIEW

This could be the
first day of the title race. Or possibly the
last. This weekend, all eyes will be on the
contest between Chelsea vs Manchester
City.
Opta powered fantasy football
game www.oulala.com have taken a detailed
look at the biggest match of the season so
far.

Overview
In September, Chelsea visited the Etihad at
the top of the table and 5 points clear of
their nearest challengers – Manchester City,
the game ended 1-1. The leaders missed the
chance to extend their advantage while City
failed to make up much needed ground on
their rivals.
Four months on and the situation repeats
itself. Chelsea are again 5 points ahead
despite being caught by City over Christmas
who then let the gap appear again. This
time the West London club welcome City to
Stamford Bridge.

After having to endure extra-time in Tuesday
night’s Capital One Cup semi-final second
leg against Liverpool, the Chelsea players
will have the distinct disadvantage of a
shorter rest period. However, Jose Mourinho
has previously spoken of his love for a more
demanding schedule, the facts are that the
fatigue will surely take it’s toll on his players
in the latter stages of the game.
Manchester City winger Jesús Navas feels
that the clash is a must-win game for his
side in the pursuit of retaining their Premier
League title. He said “We need to go there
with maximum attitude. It would be
something very big to win the title two years
in a row. But we need three points against
Chelsea to close the gap”.
With both sides dumped out of the FA Cup
last weekend, at home, and by lower league
opposition, the game will tell us a lot about
which side has the guile and strength in
bouncing back fighting in the return of the
Premier League after its two week break.
An intriguing clash awaits us…

Team News
Branislav Ivanovic (foot), Felipe Luís (calf)
and Cesc Fàbregas (hamstring) all picked up
minor injuries against Liverpool on Tuesday
night. Diego Costa face a three match
suspension after being charged for violent
conduct in the same game.
Frank Lampard suffered a hip injury in Abu
Dhabi but is expected to recover in time for
his return to Stamford Bridge.

Key Men
Nemanja Matić: ‘The Giant’ is arguably his
side’s most important player. Chelsea have
lost only once in 32 games this season when
he has featured. His job on Saturday will be
to offer his team-mates safety, security and
reliability against the inevitable wave of City
counter-attacks, especially in the second
half.
David Silva: Thierry Henry recently called
him ‘the best Manchester City player’. The
Spanish magician’s ability to both create
and score goals makes him City’s
most indispensable player in the eyes of the
ex-Arsenal striker. Silva is arguably the
most likely player to unlock the resolute
Chelsea defence.

The Managers
Mourinho v Pellegrini has been it’s own little
soap opera since the Portuguese replaced
the Chilean at Real Madrid in 2010 with the
pair exchanging little snipes towards each
other ever since. The rivalry between the two
will be as much about getting one up on the
other in theier personal battle as it will be
the three important points for their clubs.

There’s no love lost here.
Stat Attack
Chelsea have scored the most league
goals from set pieces of any team (11)
Man City have scored the most league
goals from counter attacks (5)
Man City have had the most shots per
game in the Premier Leaque (17.4)
Chelsea have had the most shots on
target per game (6.2)
Man City have enjoyed the most
possession in the Premier League (60%)
Man City have the best pass accuracy in
the Premier League (85.2%)