18 Yard Box looks at the clash between the two wounded tigers in the week 13 of the Premier League season.
The Blues take on the The Citizens in what appears to be a much win tie for both the clubs The two clubs are following the same fate, having been knocked out of the Champions League. Although Chelsea still have a slim chance of going through to the Round of 16, their hopes on a knife edge.
The Blues take on the The Citizens in what appears to be a much win tie for both the clubs The two clubs are following the same fate, having been knocked out of the Champions League. Although Chelsea still have a slim chance of going through to the Round of 16, their hopes on a knife edge.
A lot have gone wrong for both teams, on and off the field, and they would be looking to put all that behind them when they take on each other on a late Sunday kickoff. 18 Yard Box analyses the two teams and determines the result.
Chelsea
A season which began so well for Chelsea has taken an absolute U-turn. With the recent Champions League performances a place in the next round of the Europa League is all they can expect. Having lost his patience yet again, their owner Roman Abrahmovic has already sacked the Chelsea legend Roberto Di Matteo and hired the former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. With an excellent pool of talent at his disposal it remains to be seen as how Benitez handles his team.
Strengths:
Chelsea's strengths lies in their midfield department. The likes of Oscar, Mata and Hazard have stepped up to the plate and have been performing really well. The past few games have been an exception. Ramires and Mikel have done well with the former really playing the double pivot role well. After the appointment of Rafa Benitez it remains to be seen as to whether Torres fires. The Spanish international has been due for a good performance since he joined the Blues.
Weakness:
Chelsea's weakness lies in its attack. The goals have dried up as Torres and Sturridge have both failed to deliver in front of goal. Although Vitcor Moses has looked a threat but he never gives a Drogba-like presence in the middle. Moreover his finishing abilities need to improve too. Alongwith this the mental side of this outfit will also be under test as they have lost an able manager in the form of Di Matteo after a potential Champions League exit at the hands of the Old Lady. Although Benitez will be incharge it remains to be seen whether Chelsea adjust to this change in managerial philosophy so quickly. To add to this Mikel's allegations of Mark Clattenburg racially abusing have been proved wrong.
To add with this David Luiz has not been particularly in the best of his forms. Gets caught out very often and has had lapses of concentration in his previous games. Chelsea have surely missed their leader John Terry at the back.
Manchester City:
Roberto Mancini's men have come under great pressure for underperforming in the Champions' League for the second time in a row. However it has not affected their League form as they remain the only unbeaten side in the League this season. Having found their goal-scoring touch once again against Aston Villa last week, they will be raring to go at this unstable Chelsea side.
Strengths:
City's strengths are in their attack. The Argentine duo of Tevez and Aguero have looked sharp and ocassional goals are being chipped in by their 'Super-Sub' Edin Dzeko. The silky one touch football between the front two and David Silva has started once again. Yaya Toure has also been their strong point to force the opponent's defense open if the neat passes of Silva cannot.
Weakness:
Inspite of having the midfield riches City have been dealing with too many deadwoods at the centre. It is clear that the likes of Gareth Barry, Scott Sinclair, James Milner and Jack Rodwell have no place in the City first team. Even their major signing of Javi Garcia has been a flop as he has done little to win the fans over. Another cause of concern is its defence. With their two first choice defenders out due to injury it will be interesting to see how they cope up with Nastasic being the only recongnized centre back that City have. They will have to do with a makeshift back four with the likes of Zabaleta or Korolov filling in for their captain Kompany. They will be dearly hoping that Kompany passes the late fitness test.
Importance of a Win:
Both the teams have had a week to forget. Where Chelsea are still alive all four competitions (with a probability of the Champions League qualification still looming), City have already been knocked out in the Capital One Cup and the Champions League. However alonwith the momentum and mental courage, the game will als decide whether City continue to remain on top or whether Chelsea steal their short burst of thunder. At present Chelsea need the win more than City with the problems they are facing off field.
The Final Verdict
Although both teams will start in a positive manner, the later period of the match will see the match getting tighter. The team conceding first will have their mental strength sapped off and may go on to lose the match. A match which will see both sides sharing the ball equally, may produce some dull patches of play. A City victory could be possible however a 1-1 draw seems to be the fairest results of all.
PS: Want to know how Nastasic will do against Torres? Or how Toure might keep Oscar at bay? Read our player battles article by clicking here
Written By,
Rishabh Ghai
| The Brazilian has taken a liking to the Premier League ever since he has arrived |
Weakness:
Chelsea's weakness lies in its attack. The goals have dried up as Torres and Sturridge have both failed to deliver in front of goal. Although Vitcor Moses has looked a threat but he never gives a Drogba-like presence in the middle. Moreover his finishing abilities need to improve too. Alongwith this the mental side of this outfit will also be under test as they have lost an able manager in the form of Di Matteo after a potential Champions League exit at the hands of the Old Lady. Although Benitez will be incharge it remains to be seen whether Chelsea adjust to this change in managerial philosophy so quickly. To add to this Mikel's allegations of Mark Clattenburg racially abusing have been proved wrong.
To add with this David Luiz has not been particularly in the best of his forms. Gets caught out very often and has had lapses of concentration in his previous games. Chelsea have surely missed their leader John Terry at the back.
 |
| How Chelsea have missed their leader! |
Manchester City:
Roberto Mancini's men have come under great pressure for underperforming in the Champions' League for the second time in a row. However it has not affected their League form as they remain the only unbeaten side in the League this season. Having found their goal-scoring touch once again against Aston Villa last week, they will be raring to go at this unstable Chelsea side.
Strengths:
City's strengths are in their attack. The Argentine duo of Tevez and Aguero have looked sharp and ocassional goals are being chipped in by their 'Super-Sub' Edin Dzeko. The silky one touch football between the front two and David Silva has started once again. Yaya Toure has also been their strong point to force the opponent's defense open if the neat passes of Silva cannot.
 |
| He has been exceptional yet again this season |
Weakness:
Inspite of having the midfield riches City have been dealing with too many deadwoods at the centre. It is clear that the likes of Gareth Barry, Scott Sinclair, James Milner and Jack Rodwell have no place in the City first team. Even their major signing of Javi Garcia has been a flop as he has done little to win the fans over. Another cause of concern is its defence. With their two first choice defenders out due to injury it will be interesting to see how they cope up with Nastasic being the only recongnized centre back that City have. They will have to do with a makeshift back four with the likes of Zabaleta or Korolov filling in for their captain Kompany. They will be dearly hoping that Kompany passes the late fitness test.
 |
| Javi Garcia looks lost in the Blue outfit |
Importance of a Win:
Both the teams have had a week to forget. Where Chelsea are still alive all four competitions (with a probability of the Champions League qualification still looming), City have already been knocked out in the Capital One Cup and the Champions League. However alonwith the momentum and mental courage, the game will als decide whether City continue to remain on top or whether Chelsea steal their short burst of thunder. At present Chelsea need the win more than City with the problems they are facing off field.
The Final Verdict
Although both teams will start in a positive manner, the later period of the match will see the match getting tighter. The team conceding first will have their mental strength sapped off and may go on to lose the match. A match which will see both sides sharing the ball equally, may produce some dull patches of play. A City victory could be possible however a 1-1 draw seems to be the fairest results of all.
PS: Want to know how Nastasic will do against Torres? Or how Toure might keep Oscar at bay? Read our player battles article by clicking here
Written By,
Rishabh Ghai
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International (all English editions) and an Editor and writer for 18 Yard Box.
Follow Rishabh Ghai on Twitter
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