Chelsea vs. Manchester City – Match Preview (25/12/2012)

Chelsea vs. Manchester City – Match Preview (25/12/2012)

Venue and Timings

The match kicks off at the Stamford Bridge on Sunday, November 25th, 2012 at 1600 hours BST (2100 hours PST and 2130 hours IST).

Team News

Chelsea

After Roberto Di Matteo got sacked this week, Rafa Benitez has taken the charge at Stamford Bridge as the ‘interim manager’. He is best known for his impact on Fernando Torres and is expected to bring out the best in him at Chelsea. Thus, you can expect Fernando Torres to be attacking in this match.

After the terrible injury he suffered, John Terry will stay out of the squad along with Frank Lampard. However, Daniel Sturridge may play, but his participation is highly doubtful.

Due to the change of manager, the team and their form might be a little.

Manchester City: Vincent Kompany got njured in City’s Champions League fixture against Real Madrid and left Etihad Stadium on crutches. No further information was provided on his injury but it is confirmed that he will miss the match against Chelsea.

Gael Clichy did not play the match against Real Madrid due to a foot injury and it is less likely that he will return for this match.

Due to Chelsea’s attacking midfield, Mancini might be forced to play Yaya Toure plus an extra midfield defender at the Stamford Bridge.

Recent Meetings
Chelsea 2 – 3 Manchester City

Manchester City 2 – 1 Chelsea

Chelsea 2 – 1 Manchester City

Chelsea 2 – 0 Manchester City

Manchester City 1 – 0 Chelsea

Star Man

Carlos Tévez (Manchester City) : Manchester City’s Carlos Tévez is their squad’sleading goalscorer with 6 goals. he can play as both an attacking midfielder and a striker. He is well-known for his superb dribbling, passing and his holding onto the ball. In the box, this man can do anything from taking set-pieces to through balls and straight shots into the goals, thanks to his strong finishing. When needed, Tévez can even provide some defensive contribution.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea): Hazard has proved himself to be one of the most successful players that joined the Barclays Premier League this season. In the 21 appearances this boy has made, he has scored 4 goals and made 12 assists. Hazard plays a tricky game by completely dominating the midfield. His responsiveness to any chance created leads him to assist a lot of goals. His strong dribbling skills makes it difficult to stop this man. He gets fouled often as his style of play is that way.

My prediction: 1 – 1 to Manchester City. Considering the defence of both the teams, you cannot expect a lot of goals to be scored. City drew their match with Madrid at home and got eliminated from the Champions League, so they will be trying to provide their fans to celebrate. On the other hand, though he just took charge, Rafa Benitez will be trying to make a mark, especially when he is already accustomed with the Barclays Premier League.