Manchester
City will aim to stay focused on domestic duties as they take on Chelsea
before they resume their pursuit of European glory at the end of April.
While Premier League champions Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions
League by Paris Saint-Germain to confirm a trophy-less season, City defeated
the French club in midweek to reach the last four for the first time.
For Chelsea, the remaining weeks of the campaign are little more than a
countdown to the start of a new era under current Italy coach Antonio Conte
next season.
Last weekend's defeat at Swansea City ended their 14-game unbeaten league
record under Guus Hiddink, but they will be out to dent City's top-four bid
on
Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5pm.
Team news
Striker Diego Costa is available following his three-game suspension.
Captain John Terry (Achilles), Eden Hazard (hip/groin) and Loic Remy (groin)
remain out, but Nemanja Matic (bruised leg) and Gary Cahill (hip) are
available again.
Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink is likely to make some changes following
the loss at Swansea, when Alexandre Pato and Matt Miazga were among the
starters.
City playmaker David Silva will sit out the trip to further rest an ankle
problem.
The Spaniard also missed last week's victory over West Brom as a precaution
against an injury that he has been playing with for some time.
Captain Vincent Kompany (calf) is pushing to return for Tuesday's game at
Newcastle while forward Raheem Sterling (groin) could also be back in
contention after missing the last four games.
Opta stats
Chelsea have won 11 and lost just one of their past 17 Premier League games
against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have won just one of their past seven Premier League home games,
drawing the other six.
The Londoners have gone nine games on home soil without a clean sheet in the
Premier League - their longest-ever such run in the Premier League.
Manuel Pellegrini's side have lost just one of their past seven Premier
League away matches (W3 D3 L1).
Guus Hiddink has not lost two league games in a row as a club manager since
February 2004 whilst at PSV Eindhoven.
Sergio Aguero has scored 10 goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances
for Manchester City.
Chelsea have now lost 10 Premier League games this season - more than in
2014-15 and 2013-14 combined (nine).
Paul Merson's prediction
The gap between Manchester City in fourth and Manchester United in fifth is
just five points and I fully expect Louis van Gaal's side to close the gap
by the time kick-off comes around at Stamford Bridge. It's a massive game
for City.
They had a brilliant result in midweek and you have to hand it to them after
they reached the Champions League semi-finals, but they cannot take their
eye off the ball against Chelsea. It's still a huge ask to win the Champions
League so the league is crucial. However, I think Chelsea will win this and
blow the top four wide open.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 17/2)
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