Team
news, stats and prediction ahead of Chelsea vs Man City in the Premier
League on Saturday; kick-off 12.30pm.
Team news
Mason Mount will miss Chelsea's Premier League clash with Manchester City
due to a minor injury.
The England midfielder picked up a knock in Chelsea's 4-3 Carabao Cup
penalty shootout win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Edouard Mendy has shaken off a hip problem to start in goal, but Christian
Pulisic is still sidelined with ankle trouble.
Man City could have John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Rodri back in
contention as some of Pep Guardiola's injury problems begin to subside.
The trio have returned to training this week and will be assessed on
Saturday morning, but Ilkay Gundogan and Oleksandr Zinchenko are expected to
again miss out.
Nathan Ake missed the midweek Carabao Cup win over Wycombe to attend his
father's funeral, but is expected to return against his former club.
Jones Knows Prediction
Oh, hello. A monstrous football match - it's just a shame it's been selected
for the lunchtime Saturday slot and such a showdown between the two title
favourites has come so early in the season. Fine margins will be at play in
what should be a cagey encounter full of chess-like moves between two
outstanding managers. Picking a winner between these two who are almost
going off identical prices with Sky Bet isn't something I'm going to waste
my time doing. It really is a must-not-lose for both. And the draw at 23/10
with Sky Bet is the sensible play.
My eyes are drawn to the cards market.
The fact this is an early-season clash between two title rivals does open
the possibility of a slow burner with not much space on offer for each team
on the counter-attack. A point is a perfectly acceptable result for both.
That could lead to a low foul count involving two teams that rank low for
yellow cards anyway.
In the period since Thomas Tuchel took charge, in terms of ever-present
Premier League teams, Chelsea have been shown the joint-third least amount
of cards (30) and City the second least (29). That averages out at just over
one card per 90 minutes for each team. With referees seemingly happy to let
the game flow more this campaign, referee Michael Oliver may want to
reinforce that point in what is the highest-profile Premier League game so
far and implement a 'softly, softly' approach. Something he did for the
high-profile season opener between Brentford and Arsenal, where he failed to
show a single card.
Sky Bet are expecting cards judging by their lines. I disagree. So, I'm
happy to back under 40 booking points (10 for a yellow, 20 for a red) in the
hope Oliver allows a closely fought game to flow without the need for him to
get involved.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1
Opta stats
Chelsea have won their last three meetings with Man City in all
competitions, in the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League. They last
had a longer winning run against the Citizens between December 2005 and
March 2009 (8 games).
Manchester City have won three of their last six Premier League away games
against Chelsea (L3), more than they had in their previous 23 visits to
Stamford Bridge in the top flight (W2 D8 L13). The Citizens are looking to
win back-to-back away top-flight games vs Chelsea for the first time since
January 1955.
None of the last 12 Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Manchester
City have been drawn, with Chelsea winning five to City's seven.
Chelsea and Manchester City have the joint-best defensive records in the
Premier League this season, with just one goal conceded each (also level
with Liverpool).
Meanwhile, the Blues have an xG against figure of 5.5, conceding over four
goals fewer than would be expected based on the quality of chances faced -
the best such difference in the division this term.
Chelsea have kept 15 clean sheets in 24 Premier League games under Thomas
Tuchel, more than any other side since the German took charge.
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