Friday pressure briefing: Will Man City inherit the mantle from Chelsea in style?

This weekend could signify the passing of a mantle.

Or at least the Premier League title, as likely champions-elect Manchester City host holders Chelsea in the standout fixture of the weekend.

City sit a remarkable 16 points clear of second-place Manchester United, and 22 clear of Champions League-chasing Chelsea in fifth.

The Blues will be desperate to avoid making it three consecutive Premier League away defeats in a row for the first time March 2013, and will hope Eden Hazard can lead them to a third victory in their last four league matches against Pep Guardiola’s City.

The Belgium international has had a hand in eight goals in his last seven games against Manchester City in all competitions (four goals, four assists).

Chelsea have also won their last three Premier League away games against sides starting that day top of the table, most recently a 3-1 victory at Man City in December 2016.

Last season, Antonio Conte became the first manager to record a top-flight double over a side managed by Pep Guardiola. 

Guardiola will hope to get his own back by becoming only the second manager to do so to Conte, after Delio Rossi with Sampdoria vs the Chelsea manager's Juventus in 2012-13.

Chelsea were undone in the reverse fixture earlier this season by a lone Kevin De Bruyne strike, and will have to restrict Hazard’s compatriot from shooting from range – no player in the Premier League this season has scored more than the four goals De Bruyne has fired in from outside the box.

And Sergio Aguero will also post a significant danger, having scored five goals in his last four Premier League games against Chelsea.

City have won their last 13 Premier League home games, netting at least twice each time, and will be out to match Liverpool’s record for scoring more than once in consecutive home games (14) in 2013-14.

Indeed, Man City have won only one of their last four home league games vs the Blues (drawn one, lost two), 3-0 back in August 2015.

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