Chelsea - Man City Special: Is A Win In London A Bridge Too Far For City?

The Premier League's big spenders lock horns on Saturday lunchtime but it won't just be the football that will be of interest.

Feb 26, 2010 5:30:00 PM

By Patrick Reilly

More On :  Chelsea, Manchester City
John Terry, Wayne Bridge (Getty Images)

Don't Miss
On paper Chelsea - Manchester City should be a straightforward home victory for the London title chasers. After all they've won seven and drawn one of the last eight against the Eastlands outfit racking up 6-0 and 5-0 drubbings along the way. You need to go back all the way to the year 2000 since Man City actually scored at Stamford Bridge in the league.

All eyes will be on John Terry and Wayne Bridge, former team-mates for Chelsea and England, and the subject of recent tabloid headlines. Bridge has ruled himself out of international duty feeling his position in the team would be "untenable" while Terry has recently returned from compassionate leave for the Blues. 

On Saturday the two will come face to face for the first time since the allegations were published. If you think Terry will open the scoring you'll get odds of 20/1, with Bridge a long shot at 40/1 to grab his first in a Manchester City shirt.


Both sides were beaten in midweek and it's City who have greatest cause for
concern. Not so long ago they were in contention for two cup competitions but a late defeat by Manchester United in the Carling Cup semi-final and Stoke's victory in the F.A. Cup means they must now concentrate on the league. Roberto Mancini was brought in to deliver Champions League football and he must outfox his old Serie A rival Carlo Ancelotti if ambitious City have genuine hopes to feature among Europe's elite next season.

Man City to qualify for Europa League: Yes 1/1, No 8/11
Chelsea are chasing an unlikely treble and despite the loss to Inter they'll fancy their chances of progressing to the last eight of the Champions League.
Domestically they remain top of the Premier League and a win on Saturday will put them four points clear of Manchester United with both having played 28 games.


There are plenty of reunions in store aside from Terry/Bridge with Nicolas
Anelka and Shaun Wright-Phillips facing their former sides. Le Sulk has a fabulous scoring record against his old English clubs with 19 in total, including three against Man City, and at 9/2 he's worth a punt. His French international team-mate Patrick Viera, who scored for Arsenal against the Blues at the Bridge during the Invincibles' charge to the title in 2004, is 25/1 to grab a goal.

Patrick Reilly's Prediction

Chelsea 3-1 Man City: Chelsea don't do home defeats and City have already lost four times on their travels this season. Carlo Ancelotti will want a reaction after the loss to Inter and they'll do the business against a City side low on confidence. Roberto Mancini's outfit should break their Stamford Bridge goalscoring duck due to the absence of Petr Cech.

For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section
Follow Goal.com on Twitter
Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
12 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. ISOLA: Marquez is a grumpy veteran, and that needs to change ISOLA: Marquez is a grumpy veteran, and that needs to change

    The New York Red Bulls defender recently stated that he would like to play three or four more years, but does he have the right attitude to continue?

  2. RANKINGS: Donovan moves up to number two in the rankings RANKINGS: Donovan moves up to number two in the rankings

    Landon Donovan has done plenty in his time at Everton to jump over Brad Friedel to second on the list.

  3. ROGERS: Zambia wins a huge upset and a nod to a horrific 1993 crash ROGERS: Zambia wins a huge upset and a nod to a horrific 1993 crash

    Zambia upset Ivory Coast to win the Africa Cup of Nations title in the same city of its greatest sports tragedy.

  4. RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February

    The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.

  5. DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream

    In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.

 
Advertisement
Advertisement