Classy City can show their championship credentials early on at Stamford Bridge

Manchester City have been starting matches in fine fashion this season and a sell of the time of their first goal at 44 minutes with Sporting Index could pay dividends when they play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

It took just 13 minutes for Sergio Aguero to break the deadlock when the sides met at Wembley in the Community Shield in August, starting City's run of blitzing opponents early on.

They were ahead after 14 minutes on the opening weekend of the Premier League season at Arsenal and since then their opening goal has arrived after 25 minutes (Huddersfield), 69 (Wolves), eight (Newcastle), two (Fulham), 32 (Cardiff), 29 (Brighton), 90 (Liverpool), 17 (Burnley), six (Tottenham), six (Southampton), 12 (Manchester United), 11 (West Ham), 16 (Bournemouth) and 40 (Watford).

The Liverpool game is the concern as City drew a blank at Anfield, yet Pep Guardiola was perhaps determined to prove a point in that game after being blown away by the Merseysiders in last season's Champions League.

If City play their normal game, pushing on the full-backs and weaving their pretty passing patterns it could be a difficult 90 minutes for a Chelsea team who were totally outplayed by Spurs at Wembley recently.

Home boss Maurizio Sarri is unlikely to drop his footballing beliefs despite facing elite opponents and his former team Napoli struggled against City in the Champions League last season.

City were two up after 13 minutes against Napoli at the Etihad and they scored four times in Naples, the first goal arriving after 34 minutes.

Recommendation
Sell time of first Manchester City goal
at 44 Sporting Index

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport