Chelsea v Man City - TV details, betting tips, odds, form and team news
Maurizio Sarri faces Pep Guardiola at Stamford Bridge
Premier League
BT Sport 1, 5.30pm Saturday
Match odds
16-5 Chelsea Betfair
19-20 Man City 188Bet
3-1 Draw bet365
Form
Champions City are rampant with 13 wins and two draws in their 15 Premier League games this season, but it's not just the number of victories that has been remarkable. Their plus-35 goal difference is the best at this stage of an English top-flight campaign for 125 years.
City's seven goals conceded is bettered by Liverpool's six, but Pep Guardiola's men are in a different league in the final third with 45 goals scored.
Chelsea have won only four of their last ten Premier League matches and go into this contest after defeats at Tottenham and Wolves on their last two away games which have seen them drop to fourth. Eden Hazard has gone 11 matches without a goal for club and country.
The Blues are unbeaten at Stamford Bridge under Maurizio Sarri, but the Italian has lost on all three occasions that he has coached against Guardiola.
The tactical battle
The most recent of those meetings came in the Community Shield in August when Chelsea playmaker Jorginho was pressed into mistakes by the relentless City midfield and something similar is likely at the Bridge.
Dele Alli did a great job on Jorginho a couple of weeks ago and when the Blues midfielder is unable to get into a rhythm Chelsea struggle to find their passing range, which in turn fails to spark Hazard into life.
Sarri won't be changing his way of playing and neither will Guardiola, who has a difficult decision to make on which of his three wingers - Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling - to leave out.
There is potential for all of them to play, particularly if Sergio Aguero misses out as Sterling could possibly get the nod over Gabriel Jesus to start up front.
Team news
Aguero remains doubtful and Guardiola has said he will leave the decision on whether Kevin De Bruyne is fit down to the player, while Benjamin Mendy is out. Chelsea need to check on the fitness of midfielder Ross Barkley.
Verdict
City were around 3-4 shots to beat Tottenham at Wembley - which they did - and a shade of odds-on may not fully represent the true gap between the teams. Guardiola is a couple of years ahead of Sarri in terms of team development and that is set to be shown.
2-0 Man City win.
Key stats
City have lost just two of their last 60 Premier League matches.
The Citizens have conceded two goals in eight domestic away trips this season.
Chelsea have not scored in their last three matches against City.
The Blues have lost only only two of their last 37 Stamford Bridge fixtures.
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