Game Week 12 Predictions: Manchester City to beat Chelsea

Preview: Chelsea vs Manchester City clash at Stamford Bridge - Will City's winning streak continue, or can Chelsea cause an upset?

Jeremy Doku and Nicolas Jackson both influenced their respective games last weekend, would they be in the new for the right reasons again? (Photo credit: GOAL)

 

Chelsea vs. Manchester City

Stamford Bridge Stadium

5:30pm

What version of Chelsea will come to the party on Sunday at the Stamford Bridge Stadium? The one that defends key areas and stays compact, or the wasteful one that we have seen too often this season.

Manchester City has won five on the bounce since losing three domestic games at a stretch, and, while we don’t know if they’re in full gear yet, we can tell that anyone who meets them on a day they’re in the mood will not find them funny.

Chelsea scored four goals at Tottenham on Monday night, but that doesn’t exactly tell the whole story of the tempestuous encounter. Destiny Udogie and Christian Romero saw red for the hosts, and Chelsea had a penalty to set them on their way.

Spurs also lost Micky Van de Ven to injury as well as James Maddison, something they’re already paying for as seen on Saturday against Wolves, but Chelsea could have scored at least six goals, with Nicolas Jackson’s hattrick looking like an underachievement on the evidence of Spurs’ highline defending.

Manchester City won’t play like Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, but the Blues have enjoyed some top results against the champions in the past. It’s a game you don’t want to lose because the result will hover around for two weeks.

Manchester City just needs to win to steer clear of Arsenal, who now sit second after their win on Saturday. A draw won’t be the end of the world for City, but it would be a great result for the hosts, given the evidence of recent results.

Manchester City doesn’t have injury problems outside of Kevin De Bruyne, but the Blues are getting lighter on the treatment table. Thomas Nkunku will be back after the international break, and Ben Chilwell isn’t far off either.

Thiago Silva will have a lot of organising to do with the defence when the champions come into town, and Reece James must come to the party as well. It is left to be seen how Mauricio Pochettino will line up against the league leaders, but expect a compact midfield.

Jeremy Doku was heavily involved last weekend; will Guardiola maintain the same energy or will Jack Grealish get the nod? How will the Spaniard deploy Bernardo Silva this time? It’s a game the neutrals will enjoy, and what a way to end the weekend!

Verdict: City to win