Focus Fixture: City to edge out Chelsea in close game at the Bridge

Chelsea host Manchester City in the standout fixture this weekend, before the Premier League pauses for the November international break.

The Form

Manchester City climbed to the top of the Premier League table last weekend and they may well remain there for the rest of the season. That will be the concern of their fellow title challengers, as Pep Guardiola’s side strive to be crowned champions for a record-breaking fourth year on the bounce.

City head into this match having won five games on the bounce in all competitions, including a 3-0 victory over Young Boys in midweek. That success secured the holders’ place in the knockout stage of the Champions League with two group games to spare, so City do not have to worry about European competition again until February.

As for Chelsea, a 4-1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur has lifted the mood somewhat, even though the Blues were not always comfortable against nine men in that thrilling encounter on Monday.

Zoom out a little and they do not seem to be faring too badly - Chelsea have lost just one of their last seven outings in all competitions - but there is still plenty of work to do given Mauricio Pochettino’s men sit 10th in the table heading into Game Week 12.

The Runners and Riders

Chelsea are unlikely to risk Christopher Nkunku before the international break, so the Frenchman will have to wait for his competitive debut for the club he joined in the summer.

Elsewhere, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell, Romeo Lavia, Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka are on the treatment table, while Armando Broja is a doubt.

Manchester City will have to make do without John Stones for “a while” after the England international picked up an injury against Young Boys. Manuel Akanji is struggling with a back problem and Kevin De Bruyne remains sidelined until next month at the earliest.

What They Said

“I think when we tried to sign him and when he arrived the last day of the transfer market,” Pochettino said of Chelsea’s signing of Cole Palmer from Manchester City. “I think we was thinking that he can be a player, that playmaker that we needed on the team.”

“John felt [his injury] again,” Guardiola said of Stones’ fitness status. I feel so sorry for him because he's so incredibly professional and his commitment again. It is a big loss for us. John is so important for what he does but he will recover and the season is long and he will be back stronger."

Bet Builder Tip

Manchester City have won their last two visits to Stamford Bridge 1-0 with goals in the second half, and it would not be a surprise to see a repeat here. Guardiola’s men should ultimately prove too strong for Chelsea, but control will be the order of the day and this game may therefore relatively low-scoring.

Recommended bet

Back Manchester City to win, under 2.5 goals and second half higher scoring @ 7.51