18YB here previews the game which sees Chelsea
enter the clash a mere 4 points behind defending champions Manchester City, and
in with a chance to revive their hopes to finish 2nd in the season.
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| www.whackk.com |
Premier League contenders Manchester City host
European Champions Chelsea in today’s League clash at the Etihad as they look
to close the gap on their fierce rivals Manchester United back to 12 points.
United, who didn’t even need to shift into top gear for the 0-2 victory over
Queens Park Rangers are in the driving seat as the season moves into the final 3
months.
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| Chelsea visit the Etihad to face Manchester City in an exciting clash |
City will thus need to win this all important
clash against the Londoners as failure to do so will end all their hopes of
overhauling United in pursuit of a second league title in as many years.
Manchester City
Roberto Mancini’s team comes into this clash on
the back of gaining just two points from their last 3 Premier League games,
which for a side which is fighting for the Title, is a horrendous record. Absence
of key players like Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure (African Cup of Nations) and loss of
form to squad player Samir Nasri and Joleon Lescott did not help matters
either.
Now on the back of a 4-0 victory over Leeds
United, Mancini must believe his side can build on from here and go on to put
some much needed pressure over Manchester United in a last ditch effort to save
the Title.
Strengths:
With Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure
and James Milner all getting on the score sheet last time out, City will have a
certain level of confidence this weekend. Their creative mainstay of last
season, David Silva, who hasn’t been firing on all cylinders this season, had a
relatively good game against Leeds and will be motivated to provide the impetus
for a much needed 3 points against Chelsea.
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| Tevez and Aguero should lead the lines against Chelsea |
The only consistent player for City this term
has been Yaya Toure, who Mancini will look to, again to be an inspiration
behind an over confident City side this term.
Weakness:
It’s hard to point out the weaknesses of a City
side, who have been sluggish this season, to say the least. It has always been
said that retaining the League title is always the tougher job, and in City’s
case it has most definitely proved to be true. The players seem to lack the
hunger they had last time out when they managed to win the title on the last
day of the season. Mancini’s efforts to pep up his players have all gone in
vain with Samir Nasri, Mario Balotelli, Joe Hart, Scott Sinclair, David Silva,
Javi Garcia all performing below their previously higher levels.
| Kompany will undergo a last minute fitness test to decide whether he can face Chelsea |
Their defense, although in particular lacks the
depth of Champions. With Vincent Kompany set to undergo a last minute fitness
test before the game, his return will be a definite boost to the side. In his
absence, Kolo Toure, Lescott and Nastasic haven’t really been able to steady
the back line conceding 3 against Southampton and 2 against Liverpool.
Barry too might miss the clash, which again
force Mancini to start with either Milner or the below par Javi Garcia in
midfield, there by missing out on the Englishman’s experience and passing
ability.
Tactical Analysis:
With Rafa Benitez all set to play 4-2-3-1
formation with Mikel and Lampard/Ramires in midfield, Mancini will have to
nullify their passing from the centre of the park by deploying the Garcia in
the defensive role. Yaya Toure, who will partner him in centre midfield, will
be given the license to make his runs forward occasionally to support the
attack.
Their defensive tactics on the other hand will
have to involve making Chelsea come narrower to reduce their width. With Moses,
Hazard and Marin, Chelsea have got some good wingers who can put the use of
width towards Chelsea’s advantage, which needs to be countered by the tracking
back of City’s midfielders.
On the
other hand, Mancini needs to make sure that when forced central, the holding up
of Demba Ba doesn’t cause damage to his side.
Chelsea:
On the back of a rather demoralizing draw at
home to Sparta Prague, Chelsea will be looking to get the 3 points to have 2nd
place in sight. Their last win in the League came away to Wigan, which saw the
Londoners scoring 4 goals in reply to 1.
Rafa Benitez, who has been set a target of a
top 4 finish and a trophy this season, will certainly have bad memories of this
fixture when City visited Stamford Bridge in his 1st game in charge
of The Blues. Although the game ended in a 1-1 draw, the fans hostility towards
him was something to watch out for and has in fact has continued till today.
Strength:
Chelsea’s midfield is a certain strong area for
them this season. The attacking foursome of Mata, Hazard, Oscar and Moses has
been in scintillating form this season, creating chance after chance. Lampard
as well, has been showing his vast experience in the League by scoring vital
goals for The Blues.
| Mata and Hazard will be important for Chelsea |
The duo of Ramires and Mikel has been in decent
form this season with steady performances throughout. Mikel, who had been away
for the African Cup of Nations in the month of January was certainly missed as
Lampard, who plays in a similar role, cannot play 90 minutes week in, week out
now that he is 34.
Weakness:
Chelsea’s weakness lies in the converting of
the chances they create. Torres, although showing improvement in the movement
he does on the pitch, putting the ball in the back of the net is where he falls
short. With Ba among the goals now, this weakness should be solved sooner than
later.
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| Terry hasn't been at his best recently |
Their inconsistency in defending also has been
an area where they have let themselves down. Terry’s absence in the heart of
defense has affected the defense with Ivanovic and Cahill proving to be shaky. Terry
started the game in midweek against Sparta but may return to the bench today
with him lacking the sharpness to play in such an important fixture.
Tactical Analysis:
Manchester City will be lining up in their usual
4-2-3-1 with Tevez behind Aguero and Chelsea will have to counter the threat of
the energetic Tevez. Ramires, who should also be given the nod to start, could
be given the responsibility to track his movement. Mikel on the other hand will
be given the task of breaking up play in the centre of the park.
David Silva will yet again be given the task of
creating gaps in the Chelsea defense to pass City’s way towards the goal and
Mikel will have to be on hand to plug in the gaps in the centre of the park.
Cahill and Ivanovic, on the other hand need to track Aguero’s clever runs across the defense as he will look to create space for Silva and Tevez to cause the damage.
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| Pyramid Labs |
Final Verdict:
With Chelsea not being in the race to win the
title at all, City need to get this victory or it is all over for the defending
Champions. Chelsea, on the other hand need to find their glory in the cups they
are still in, to save their season. A 2-1 victory for City would be one’s best
bet.
Written By,
Aman Arora
Aman writes for Goal India, Give Me Football and 18 Yard Box
Follow Aman at @aman_ghs
Follow 18YB at @18YB06
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