Chelsea are on the road this weekend in the Premier League with Thomas Tuchel’s men up against the runaway leaders Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side currently are 10 points adrift in the league standings of Thomas Tuchel’s Blues who are their upcoming opponents at the Etihad Stadium in what promises to be a high-billed outing.
The Blues last turned out in cup action earlier this week against city rivals Tottenham Hotspur with Antonio Rudiger’s first-half strike earning them a 1-0 win to add to their 2-0 advantage from the first leg as a berth in the finals of the Carabao Cup was sealed.
Shifting focus back to top flight action will be of importance to Chelsea who remain in the battle with Liverpool for second place in the standings behind the table toppers Manchester City.
An 11-game winning streak in the Premier League for City has sounded out that Pep Guardiola and Co. mean business when it comes to retaining their crown despite a nervy start to the campaign last year.
Tuchel’s Chelsea are sure to find it tough on away territory come Saturday when the Etihad Stadium hosts both teams for a game that could very well decide the outcome of the league season in January.
Away form, however, has been inspiring for the west Londoners as of late with six of their last eight top-flight games on the road resulting in wins for Chelsea who will look to seek revenge for the reverse fixture earlier this campaign which saw City emerge narrow winners in a 1-0 scoreline courtesy of a Gabriel Jesus goal.
WHEN & WHERE?
Working for the weekend. 👊 pic.twitter.com/zkoS15BzLz
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 13, 2022
Date: Saturday 15 January
Time: 3 PM GMT
Venue: Etihad Stadium
TEAM NEWS
Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah, three key names at the back for Chelsea, are sidelined for the forthcoming league outing with injury troubles.
First-choice shot-stopper Edouard Mendy is away at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations which would mean another start on the team sheet for Kepa.
In another blow to Thomas Tuchel’s depleted defensive roster, Danish international Andreas Christensen has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not feature in the weekend affair.
Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante both made their way back onto the field last time around against Spurs after their COVID-19 enforced absence and will push for a starting berth in the Etihad Stadium showdown.
KEY BATTLE
Ruben Dias vs Romelu Lukaku
Chelsea’s main frontman in Romleu Lukaku will bear the brunt of leading the line for the home side against an upbeat Manchester City backline which has the colossal figure of Ruben Dias.
Lukaku’s return to form in front of the goal will be of paramount significance to a Chelsea side that has lacked serious firepower going forward when the Belgian served a spell on the sidelines with injury.
MATCH PREDICTION
The visitors to Manchester will find it a stern challenge to emerge on top of the defending champions of the land who have been clinical on all fronts of late.
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea
