Manchester City have the opportunity to return to the top of the Premier League table when they entertain Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The Citizens have won each of their previous two matches in the top-flight and they have the chance to secure another three points against Maurizio Sarri’s side, who have looked vulnerable at the back in recent away trips.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have dropped just outside of the top four positions after Manchester United’s recent away triumph over Fulham, but they can overcome the one-point deficit with a positive result against Pep Guardiola’s men.
Two things to watch for:
Chelsea’s defensive organisation: Chelsea may have secured a thumping 5-0 triumph over Huddersfield Town in the previous game at the Bridge but they were luckily to not concede a penalty after a foul from Marcos Alonso in the box. As such, they can anticipate a tough challenge against the Citizens’ attack and their recent away record does not make for good reading with six goals conceded in the defeats at Arsenal and Bournemouth of late. Antonio Rudiger is likely to replace Andreas Christensen in the central defence alongside David Luiz but it remains to be seen whether they can showcase the positional awareness when the hosts are on the counter-attack.
Sergio Aguero against Chelsea: The Argentina international has stepped up his performances in recent weeks and this has once more made him the undisputed choice to lead the line ahead of Gabriel Jesus, who has equally been in superb form of late. The marksman has failed to score in just one of the previous five appearances in all competitions and he should relish the chance of netting against the Blues, who are his second favourite opponents after Newcastle United in terms of finding the goal. The former Atletico Madrid ace has netted 12 times in the previous 17 meetings against the Blues and this includes a brace in the Community Shield triumph at the start of the campaign.
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