vs Kick-off: 11:00 AM (EST), 4:00 PM (Local) Broadcast: NBCSN (USA); Injuries: [Chelsea] Oscar (training), Courtois (Suspended); [Manchester City] Fernando, Yaya Toure (groin; will be fit for Sunday), Clichy (likely to be fit), Fabian Delph (Hamstring) Notable Mention: Eva Carneiro and Jon Fearn will not be on the bench
If Bane plays and he has no help with Sterling, this will be a long long game for him, Chelsea, and all of us.
I'm debating either going to the pub for this one as I met a Chelsea fan at the grocery store a while ago. But at the same time I kind of want to laze on my couch. Just win.
Most likely Oscar out, Ramires in the pivot with Matic and Cesc at #10. Hopefully we can come out with the 3 points.
Would be happy with a draw. City will be high on confidence after last week. I would prefer Zouma + Matic to nullify Yaya.
city were under zero pressure all game long lat time out. i'm hoping that helps play in to our hands. we had an intense game that got us acclimated to the league. they were strolling around unchallenged all game. i'm rationalizing of course, but i could play a part.
I would be surprised if we managed to do one over Pellegrini again here, but having said that I would also be surprised if we lost just after a bad result last week. Anyway I know we wont roll over like West Brom did.
Anyone think a negative result will influence tptb to dip back into the market for a marquee signing?
I doubt it, Jose is really confident in this side, for some reason I just can't be that confident in it. Despite Jose being the man that he is, maybe i'm just being a pessimistic loon this season, I have no idea. It does scare me though, because I was very confident we had it last season from the start.
Keep some soft things near you because I can bet he will. And to be honest we need his defensive contribution. Just going to be our one man attack in Hazard....
Getting a healthy Costa will be a plus. Playing Moses wide and Willian in the middle would actually be a pretty attacking side. I'd be concerned with a midfield of Fab and Matic, but their midfield doesn't concern me much either. Willian played centrally will cause Yaya to work and we know he doesn't like to do that. It's Navas, Silva, and Sterling that are going to give me nightmares for the next couple nights.
We really need Diego to be back at his best, when he is at his best he creates space for our other attacking players and at the moment Hazard is our only threat up front when Diego is not in top form.
Head says loss but heart says scored draw. Guessing we will see Cesc in for Oscar and Ram in the pivot with Matic. Neither of those have worked previously and I dont expect them too tomorrow. I would like to see Zouma start with JT as his speed could be very beneficial to help cope with our backlines lack of it.
Chelsea FC @ChelseaFC 24s24 seconds ago Team v Man City: Begovic; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Diego Costa. #CFC
Squawka Football @Squawka 29s30 seconds ago Man City XI vs. Chelsea: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov; Yaya Toure, Fernandinho; Navas, Silva, Sterling, Aguero. #MCFC If I recall Sagna had Hazards number the last team we played so thats smart by Pellegrini.
Oscar being injured sucks but I don't think he would have started either way but at least he would be a good option off the bench. Moses not making the bench is surprising, I much rather have him then Cuardado if we needed to make any changes although I don't see Jose subbing off Cesc / Hazard / Willian anyways. Let's hope our players come up big today and we grab the 3 points. Need a solid performance from Diego, Hazard, and our back four and we are set. COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!