Date/Time: Sunday 10th February 2019 (Kick-off 5:00 PM CET).
The second of the live games to be played on Sunday comes from the Etihad Stadium as two of the top four teams in the Premier League meet with an important three points on the line.
Depending on results on Saturday, Chelsea may not even be in the top four at kick off in this fixture and Maurizio Sarri never seems too far away from being put under pressure. The 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town was a relief for the manager, but this is a much more difficult challenge for a Chelsea team who have lost 3 straight away games in all competitions without scoring a goal.
The way they capitulated in the second half against Bournemouth has to be a real concern and I do worry for Chelsea in the sense that they are a team who struggle to bounce back when things turn against them within a game. The same happened in the first half at Arsenal three weeks ago as Chelsea slumbered their way into a big hole and never really looked like digging themselves out of it.
Falling behind against Manchester City has not exactly been a death knell for teams of late after Newcastle United and Arsenal both recovered from conceding inside the first minute to level the game. However this is a team that should dominate the ball and if Chelsea start feeling sorry for themselves it could turn out to be a very long afternoon for them at the Etihad Stadium.
Being back on top of the Premier League has to give the Manchester City players a confidence boost and I can see them putting a strong 20 minute period together at to some point in this fixture to put Chelsea to the sword. Pep Guardiola won't underestimate Chelsea having seen his team lose at Stamford Bridge in December, but Manchester City can lay down a marker for the League Cup Final which is played later this month and I will back them to win this one by a comfortable margin.
Manchester City have scored at least twice in 16 straight games at home in all competitions and that should be enough for them to earn the victory. If Chelsea play as they did at Arsenal and Bournemouth then I think it could be a very tough fixture for them and Manchester City should have the chances to win by two or more goals on the day.
Prediction: Manchester City - 1 Asian Handicap
T&Cs apply.
