Manchester City FC
Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC
Champions League finalists City and Chelsea meet in exciting dress rehearsal
Manchester City to win 2-1
Manchester City are just one win away from officially confirming themselves as Premier League champions for the season.
After an excellent season, it would be nothing more than they deserve than to lift the title with three games to spare, but will need to overcome the side that they will also face in the Champions League final at the end of the month.
City’s record against Chelsea this season has been mixed – beating them 3-1 in the league on their way to the top of the table, but also being knocked out of the FA Cup by them a month or so ago.
Chelsea have been almost perfect since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as manager, reaching both the FA Cup final and Champions League final, as well as currently holding a top four spot.
There is much to do of course – they could lose both finals and drop out of the top four if their results slip.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Will be on a high after reaching first ever Champions League final
Have beaten Chelsea in nine of their last 12 home matches
Reasons to be fearful:
Chelsea are notoriously difficult to beat under Tuchel
Rotating squad players could bring negative effects
The mood around the Manchester City camp right now must be one of elation. They have reached their first ever Champions League final and completely outplayed PSG over the two legs.
Their opponents in that final, and this weekend, will be tough to beat however. Although Chelsea are 19 points below them in the table, that doesn’t reflect the way in which the London side have played since bringing in a new manager.
City’s home form hasn’t been the best recently, too. They’ve lost two of their last three at the Etihad and, although their minds have been focused on the Champions League, they will need to quickly refocus them here.
Should they win, City will regain the Premier League as well as earning the upper hand before that final at the end of May. Should they lose, it will allow Chelsea to put down a marker.
Star Man – Riyad Mahrez
The Algerian winger has made himself one of the first names on the teamsheet these days, and was sensational against PSG, scoring three goals over the two legs.
Form Guide (all comps): DWDWW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Have earned 18 clean sheets from the last 24 games
Could win three league games in a row without conceding
Reasons to be fearful:
Are winless in all four games against teams above them in the table
Will take a mammoth effort to stop City winning the title this weekend
Chelsea have been superb ever since Thomas Tuchel joined the club, 15 league matches ago, reaching both the Champions League and FA Cup finals, as well as taking his side from 8th in the league to 4th.
No one could have anticipated such an incredible rise, and it makes you wonder just what he can achieve next season with a full campaign to make his mark.
What has impressed most people is Chelsea’s defensive stability, particularly in the league where they’ve claimed 11 clean sheets from those 15 games Tuchel has been in charge for.
It will take a huge effort to stop City from lifting the trophy this weekend, especially with Chelsea’s poor record away to City, but they know exactly how to do it.
Star Man – Mason Mount
Like City’s Phil Foden, Mount is an exceptional young English talent who can drive his club forward. He has nine goal involvements so far in 2021.
Should be a game full of quality on the ball
Chances at both ends
City’s motivation to inspire them to win
Chelsea showed with their recent FA Cup over City that they are tough to play against and can always nick a goal against you.
They are improving all the time and will not make things easy for City here. The London side also know they need to keep up their winning form to stay ahead of West Ham in the top four race.
That said, City have all the motivation that they need – to win the title for the 7th time in their history would cap off a wonderful season.
Manchester City to win 2-1
