England - Premier League
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Played
March 21, 2012 7:45 PM GMT
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee:‬ M. Dean‎
Attendance:‬ 46324‎
 
78′ (PG) Sergio Agüero
Gary Cahill 60′
86′ Samir Nasri
 

Manchester City - Chelsea Preview: Tevez could make return as Mancini's men chase United

A win for the home side will put them one point behind Manchester United, but the Blues have won four straight games under Roberto Di Matteo since the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas

By Oliver Platt

More On :  Chelsea FC, Manchester City FC, Manchester City FC vs Chelsea FC

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY

Hart
Richards, Kolo Toure, Lescott, Clichy
 Yaya Toure, Barry
Silva, Aguero, Nasri
Balotelli
CHELSEA

Cech
Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole
Lampard, Essien
Sturridge, Mata, Ramires
Drogba

Carlos Tevez could complete his surprise Premier League return on Wednesday from the substitutes' bench. The Argentine is unlikely to start though, given that he has only played in two games for the reserve team thus far.

Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta are unlikely to return in time for this fixture but the City defence could be boosted if Joleon Lescott becomes available after a groin strain. If not, Stefan Savic should continue alongside Kolo Toure.

Gareth Barry is also in contention for a place in the starting XI – he should be ready to play following a back injury – but faces competition for his spot in the form of Nigel de Jong and David Pizarro.

Roberto Di Matteo is likely to stick with the Chelsea side that beat Napoli 4-1 in the Champions League. Fernando Torres' two goals in the FA Cup will have put him in his manager's thoughts but Didier Drogba will probably get the nod here.

The Blues have no fresh fitness concerns and so remain injury and suspension free.


 DID YOU KNOW?
  • Manchester City have not lost at home to Chelsea since September 2008, although they have suffered two consecutive defeats at Stamford Bridge.
  • City will be looking for their 15th home league win of the season on Wednesday, which would leave them four victories away from a perfect record at the Etihad Stadium.
  • Only one team, Tottenham, have scored more than one goal when visiting Manchester City in the Premier League this season, although Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon have done so in cup competitions.
  • Three players – Sergio Aguero (23, pictured right), Edin Dzeko (18) and Mario Balotelli (15) – have outscored Chelsea's top goal scorer, Frank Lampard, who has 13 goals in all competitions.
  • Carlos Tevez will be looking to add to an impressive City goal scoring record of his own. The 28-year-old scored 19 goals in 63 league games for Manchester United but improved dramatically on that figure upon joining City; he has scored 44 in 69 for them so far in the Premier League.
  • Chelsea have won all four of their matches since the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, scoring 12 goals and conceding three.
  • Their current run is their first four match unbeaten run since they beat West Brom in their second fixture of the season to trigger a similar streak of victories.
  • Ominously, that four match winning run ended in Manchester – the Blues suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
  • Fernando Torres scored twice against Leicester City in the FA Cup on Sunday to end a run of 1566 minutes without a goal for Chelsea. His last strike came against Genk in the Champions League in October.
  • Torres hasn't scored in the Premier League since the end of September, when he followed up a goal against Swansea City with a red card.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Manchester City FC 1-2 Chelsea FC
    21.29 %
  • Manchester City FC 1-3 Chelsea FC
    15.88 %
  • Manchester City FC 0-2 Chelsea FC
    7.75 %
Head to Head
England - FA Cup ‎(FA)‎ Apr 14, 2013 Chelsea FC 1 - Manchester City FC 2
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Feb 24, 2013 Manchester City FC 2 - Chelsea FC 0
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Nov 25, 2012 Chelsea FC 0 - Manchester City FC 0
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FA Community Shield ‎(FACS)‎ Aug 12, 2012 Chelsea FC 2 - Manchester City FC 3
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Mar 21, 2012 Manchester City FC 2 - Chelsea FC 1
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Last Five Matches
Manchester City FC
May 19, 2013Manchester City FC 2 - Norwich City 3EPL
May 14, 2013Reading 0 - Manchester City FC 2EPL
May 11, 2013Manchester City FC 0 - Wigan Athletic 1FA
May 7, 2013Manchester City FC 1 - West Bromwich Albion 0EPL
May 4, 2013Swansea 0 - Manchester City FC 0EPL
Chelsea FC
May 19, 2013Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1EPL
May 15, 2013Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2EL
May 11, 2013Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2EPL
May 8, 2013Chelsea FC 2 - Tottenham 2EPL
May 5, 2013Man Utd. 0 - Chelsea FC 1EPL
Odds
Returns: Manchester City £19.09 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Draw £130.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Chelsea £670.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
1Joe HartGoalkeeper
2Micah RichardsDefender
5Pablo ZabaletaDefender
22Gael ClichyDefender
28Kolo ToureDefender
8Samir NasriMidfielder
21David SilvaStriker
34Nigel De JongMidfielder
42Yaya Touré Midfielder
16Sergio AgüeroStriker
45Mario BalotelliStriker
30Costel PantilimonGoalkeeper
13Aleksandar KolarovDefender
15Stefan SavicDefender
7James MilnerMidfielder
18Gareth BarryMidfielder
10Edin DzekoStriker
32Carlos TévezStriker
1Petr CechGoalkeeper
2Branislav IvanovicDefender
3Ashley ColeDefender
4David LuizDefender
24Gary CahillDefender
7RamiresMidfielder
8Frank LampardMidfielder
12John Obi MikelMidfielder
14Raúl MeirelesMidfielder
9Fernando TorresStriker
10Juan MataStriker
22Ross TurnbullGoalkeeper
19José BosingwaDefender
5Michael EssienMidfielder
15Florent MaloudaMidfielder
12Didier DrogbaStriker
21Salomon KalouStriker
15Daniel SturridgeStriker
Players to Watch
David Silva
David Silva
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 21
Games Goals YC RC
32 4 2 0
David Silva – Manchester City have lost their grip on top spot and during the most challenging phases of a season, teams need their best players to step to the forefront. Silva is the most gifted player in the City ranks and it is vital he puts the home side on the front foot from the beginning of this encounter by leading the most prolific home attack in the Premier League.
Juan Mata
Juan Mata
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
35 11 3 0
Juan Mata – Chelsea will argue that they possess a playmaker in their ranks capable of matching the genius of David Silva. The former Valencia teammates will face off at the Etihad Stadium and while Silva has been more consistent this season, Mata has the ability to produce moments of equal brilliance. He has been moved from the left to the centre of the Chelsea attack in a position just behind Didier Drogba.
Prediction
Roberto Di Matteo has put Chelsea in better spirits and they will put up a fight at the Etihad Stadium but Manchester City should have too much for them. There is a lot at stake and Roberto Mancini's team must keep cool under pressure but they should have enough attacking quality to just separate themselves from the Blues and preserve their perfect home record.
Editor's Prediction
Manchester City 2
Chelsea 1
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man Utd. 		26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool 		23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham 		21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa 		19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City 		19 0