Chelsea desperately need to bounce back from Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, but in Manchester City, they find one of the league’s most formidable away sides.
With the gap at the top of the table now only seven points, Antonio Conte will be under no illusions that Wednesday night’s clash could well be a turning point in the location of this year’s Premier League title.
Manchester City dropped points against a faltering Arsenal side at the Emirates on Sunday, being pegged back twice in an enthralling 2-2 draw.
Leroy Sane did, however, pick up his eighth goal of the season, and his scintillating form will be of huge concern for Conte, who saw his defenders suffer at the hands of blistering counter attacks and pacy wingers against Crystal Palace last time out. Raheem Sterling has also been in red-hot form this season, scoring nine times and assisting eight under Pep Guardiola’s free flowing attacking philosophy.
Chelsea evidently missed the physical engine of Victor Moses against Crystal Palace, as Pedro filled in at right wing-back, with Christian Benteke’s winning goal starting down the right-hand side of the pitch – as he was allowed to carry the ball 40 or 50 yards without being challenged, before playing a one-two with Wilfred Zaha and rounding Thibaut Courtois to chip the ball into an empty net.
Moses is Chelsea’s only injury doubt coming into the game, although as previously explained his absence could be costly. Manchester City, on the other hand, are without long-term absentees Ilkay Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus and Bacary Sagna.
