Man City v Chelsea preview

City aim to halt run of draws against leaders

Last updated: 4th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Man City v Chelsea preview

Hughes: Seeking three points

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 1-1

SKY BET odds: Man City 3/1, Draw 5/2, Chelsea 10/11

One to Watch: Robinho

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Manchester City face another test of their top-four credentials when they do battle with Chelsea on Saturday.

While the Londoners crashed out of the Carling Cup in midweek, Mark Hughes' City advanced to the last four of the competition with an impressive victory over a young Arsenal side.

It is a different story in the Premier League however, with Chelsea looking unstoppable at the top of the table and City stuttering after a record-equalling run of draws.

City were condemned to their seventh in a row by Jimmy Bullard's equaliser at the KC Stadium last weekend, and they remain three points adrift of fourth place despite having lost just once all season.

They will now be determined to return to winning ways in the league and show they can challenge the best sides in the division.

Hughes fielded a strong team against the Gunners and is unlikely to make many changes for the visit of Chelsea.

Robinho would seem the likeliest to return to the side, having been rested on Wednesday after only just coming back from injury, but it is a tricky decision for Hughes on who should make way.

Craig Bellamy might be the man to miss out after picking up a minor knee problem, while Stephen Ireland is also doubtful with a similar injury.

Martin Petrov should be available after missing out in recent weeks with a knee injury of his own, while Shaun Wright-Phillips will also have to be assessed after picking up a slight knock.

Chelsea news

Chelsea appeared to be making serene progress in all competitions until Blackburn eliminated them from the Carling Cup on penalties.

Carlo Ancelotti defended his team selection and will hope the defeat is nothing more than a blip as he prepares to make wholesale changes.

The Blues will want to rediscover the form that saw them cruise to a 3-0 win at Emirates Stadium last Sunday and stay five points clear at the top.

Salomon Kalou is set to be out for a couple of weeks with a thigh problem, while Jose Bosingwa is a long-term absentee due to a knee problem.

The likes of Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka are all expected to come back into the starting line-up.

Possible starting XIs

Man City: Given, Richards, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Barry, Robinho, Tevez, Adebayor.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Deco, Drogba, Anelka.

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