Last
season’s top two – and the favourites for this year’s Premier League title –
meet at the Etihad Stadium in the first heavyweight clash of 2015/16, live
on Sky Sports 1 on Super Sunday.
It may only be the second weekend of the campaign, but the early appearance
of Manchester City versus Chelsea in the fixture list will still prove a
pointer for the rivals’ respective credentials heading into the next nine
months of competition.
The build-up to the game has been completely dominated by the fall-out from
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho’s row with the club’s medical staff in the wake
of the reigning champions' opening-day home draw with Swansea.
By contrast, Manuel Pellegrini’s City enjoyed a serene start to the season
with a comfortable 3-0 win at West Brom.
However, it is Mourinho who boasts a supreme record in these big-game
Premier League encounters – the Portuguese has yet to lose to a fellow
top-four team since his return to England in 2013.
Team news
Sergio Aguero could return to Manchester City’s starting XI having been
eased back into action after international duty over the summer. The
Argentine, last year’s Premier League top scorer, played the final 30
minutes against West Brom on Monday night after Wilfried Bony started up
front.
Midfielders Fabian Delph (hamstring) and Fernando (groin) are the only
definite absentees while left-back Gael Clichy (ankle) will be assessed.
Chelsea are without first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after their
appeal against his red card versus Swansea and one-match suspension was
rejected. New summer signing Asmir Begovic is again set to deputise.
Oscar is a doubt for the match after picking up a knock in training, but
Diego Costa is in line to start in attack after overcoming a recurring
hamstring injury and playing the full 90 minutes last weekend.
Stats
Manchester City have won only two of their last nine against Chelsea in the
Premier League (D3 L4).
Chelsea have not lost any of their last 28 Premier League games in the month
of August (W23 D5).
Jose Mourinho has won seven and lost just two of the 12 meetings as a coach
with Manuel Pellegrini (D3).
Since his debut in August 2010, David Silva has provided more Premier League
assists than any other player (47).
Sergio Aguero has found the net nine times in his last eight Premier League
appearances.
Merson's prediction
Draw. Draw. Draw. You've only got to look at Jose Mourinho's record against
the top teams, you can't underestimate that. They have to get a result,
otherwise they are five points behind City already. If I'd said to you at
the start of the season 'Chelsea or Man City, but I'll give City a
five-point head start', you'd say City will win the league.
Mourinho knows how important the draw will be. A lot of teams go out early
in the season and think 'there's over 30 games remaining'. Chelsea do not
play like that, the reaction to the draw at Swansea showed that. That's
where Chelsea have the big advantage over the other teams.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
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