Manchester City vs Chelsea
No two clubs have changed the landscape of English football more this century than Manchester City and Chelsea.
Billionaire owners have not only transformed their respective fortunes but created sides considered among the best in Premier League history.
It’s not just about money, of course, as these two clubs are currently perfect polar opposites in how to spend wisely and not so wisely.
So, who will enjoy the next tranche of Premier League 2024 highlights on Saturday teatime?
Talking Points
Certainly, there’s no question who starts as favourites.
The inconsistency of Chelsea has been a major source of frustration for their fans and, not least, manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Perplexingly, it is not working out like that and their manager who has inherited many of the issues, Mauricio Pochettino, even apologised to supporters after a reverse at home to Wolves at the end of last month.
At that point they had the same number of points at this stage of the season as they did after 23 games last term, under a combination of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
Yet Pochettino says it’s “a matter of time” before his young squad – which has reached the League Cup Final – begins to show sustained progress, although he accepts “patience is not infinite”.
There have been glimpses of sustained progress in their past two games, an impressive FA Cup win at Aston Villa followed up by a 3-1 league success at Crystal Palace.
That contest seemed to sum up their inconsistent nature as they failed to muster a shot until the 45th minute before Conor Gallagher scored twice as they came from behind to win at Selhurst Park.
The downside of that game was the sight of centre-back Thiago Silva going off injured as the veteran Brazilian had returned to the side in place of the injured Benoit Badiashile.
They will hope to get key men back, if not for this weekend’s visit to the champions, then for the League Cup Final a week on Sunday.
City are looking to cap a fine week with a third victory in eight days.
Last Saturday, Erling Haaland netted a late double to down determined Everton.
They then went to Copenhagen in the Champions League and ensured lightning did not strike twice – no wonder manager Pep Guardiola has publicly demonstrated his confidence that his side can retain their European crown.
With Kevin De Bruyne fresh from a five-month injury lay-off and in flying form, why can’t Guardiola’s side retain the trophy?
There was a downside for them too in that Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva each sustained injuries in that game which, it’s hoped, won’t keep them out for too long.
History
It’s hard to imagine this game being half as exciting as their eight-goal fest in November when a 95th minute penalty from Cole Palmer, who had only been sold by City a few months earlier, earned his new club a point in a thrilling 4-4 draw.
City won this contest last season, thanks to a Julian Alvarez goal by which time they had already been crowned champions.
They have quite a recent history, though.
When the sides met three times in the final weeks of 2020/21, Chelsea won the lot.
They impressed with a 1-0 Wembley victory in the FA Cup semi-final, courtesy of a Hakim Ziyech goal.
If that made people sit up and take notice, they then became something of an annoyance to City when they repeated that success weeks later with a last gasp 2-1 league victory which delayed City’s title coronation.
On that occasion, victory was secured through Ziyech and Marcos Alonso after Raheem Sterling had put City ahead.
However, when Chelsea and Kai Havertz made it three out of three in the final of the Champions League, the hurt caused to the blue half of Manchester was immeasurable.
Five of the last six matches have all been City victories.
They were two very different clubs when they first met back in 1907 in the former Division One.
Billy Brawn and George Hilsdon were the Chelsea scorers on that occasion in a 2-2 draw.
Overall, City have 65 successes compared to 71 Chelsea triumphs and 40 draws.
Betting Tip
I wonder if Chelsea have ever been such outsiders in a Premier League contest in the past 20 years.
The west Londoners are priced 1X2 @ 6.40 and Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 2.16 with the SBOTOP Premier League 2024 betting odds.
City, by contrast are on offer 1X2 @ 1.34 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.26.
Even a draw is not expected given it’s priced @ 4.92. Another 1-0 home win is available @ 9.00 with Correct Score.
If you think it will be tight, how about total goals 0-1 @ 5.20? Other options include 2-3 @ 2.15, 4-6 @ 2.45 and over 3.50 @ 2.28.
I think City will win through over 90 minutes.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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