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Chelsea v Manchester City Premiership Prediction
Monday, 12 December 2011
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea v Manchester City, 20:00
Author: Thomas Rooney 08/12/2011
It is very much a case of saving the best until last in the Premier League this weekend, with Chelsea hosting league leaders Manchester City on Monday evening.
These two teams had mixed success in Europe during the week of course. Chelsea made it through to the Champions League knock-out stages, while Manchester City were forced to settle for a place in the Europa League.
Regardless of this though, Monday night’s fixture is the clash of two of the most exciting teams in the Premier League and it should be quite the occasion.
Looking at Chelsea to begin with, it is fair to say that they haven’t been particularly successful in this type of fixture recently. So far this season, they have lost at home to Liverpool on two occasions as well as suffering a defeat to Arsenal.
Quite simply, Andre Villas-Boas’ men need to raise their game for the big occasion. Their fans expect more in these games and the trend of losing at home to their closest rivals in the league needs to stop.
They will take heart from the Champions League win during the week though, no doubt about that. The Blues ran out as 3-0 winners against Valencia in a must win game that showed Chelsea at their ruthless best.
Didier Drogba led the line superbly, the midfield – without Frank Lampard – looked vibrant and the atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge was fantastic. Everyone pulled together at Chelsea and they need more of the same on Monday evening.
Manchester City will have plenty to say about this though. They are the team to beat in the Premier League right now and will be determined to show everyone why this is.
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Undoubtedly, they will be disappointed with failing to qualify from their group in the Champions League, but it does mean that winning their first Premier League title is without doubt their main focus this year.
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They need to make the most of this and turn on the style to maintain their lead at the top of the table. A win at Stamford Bridge would be massive for Roberto Mancini’s men after all.
City have a relatively tough December – they face Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium after this – and to come away from Chelsea with maximum points would be seen as a massive test dealt with in the style of potential Champions.
Overall, evening games are always special in the Premier League and this one will be no different. However, with both teams determined not to lose, they might just cancel each other out.
Football betting tip: Draw @ 12/5 with Bet365 - £200 deposit bonus
Correct score prediction: Chelsea 2:2 Manchester City @ 14.5 with Betfair
Watch our Football Video Podcast on the Chelsea v Man City match by Thomas Rooney and Pete South including their predictions.