Closed Man City v Chelsea

[thehappyone 140]

We didn't win there last season, though. We lost 0:2.

A win would be fantastic, of course, but our record against City isn't that great lately, so I'd be okay with a draw.

Edit: you're right, we won. I got it mixed up with our loss in the FA Cup.

we won there, we beat them twice

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

I don't want to put you in that kind of pressure, but we can not lose. We can not lose.

1-2 to the Mighty Blues. Costa brace.

[LegenTerry 265]

Imagine 1-1 till 92' minute and then,Didier Drogba from the corner....1-2 for Chelsea.

Now seriously,although it's only start of the season,it would make us much more comfortable and realxed ahead of weaker opponents if we won this game and make +8,I have no doubt that Jose will take his chance.

And who knows maybe win against them will open doors for Zouma,Cech or Ake.

[Nike 373]

I disagree with the notion City has played bad this season...

City has played quite well every game Ive seen, even the loss to Stoke, they had plenty of chances to score and the game vs Arsenal, they had a lot of opportunities....

Yaya doesnt play any defense at all and Fernandinho has played well, but he is a fouling machine, ala ramires....

First good cb Costa will play in the epl...

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Hope Matic has Yaya in his back pocket.

[Namika 922]

Courtois

Azpi - Ivanovic - Terry - Luis

Matic - Ramires

Willian - Cesc - Hazard

Costa

Press them from start to end.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Courtois

Azpi - Ivanovic - Terry - Luis

Matic - Ramires

Willian - Cesc - Hazard

Costa

Press them from start to end.

Pretty much this. Have been disappointed with Cahill lately and he needs dropping until he regains form, Luis and Hazard on the same flank will be absolutely vital. Oscar to come in if City start to control the game more so than we'd like.

[iseah100 5,612]

Tibo

Brana-Cahill-JT-Luis

Mikel

Matic-Cesc

Schurrle-Costa-Hazard

[lionsden 4,689]

I worry greatly about the Matic fabregas midfield combo in this game. we have been far too open with this midfield and man city will make us pay darely for it if we attempt it at the etihad. Ramires should come back in with Fabregas moved higher up and flanked by Hazard and Willian/schurrle.

[Shane 2,275]

I worry greatly about the Matic fabregas midfield combo in this game. we have been far too open with this midfield and man city will make us pay darely for it if we attempt it at the etihad. Ramires should come back in with Fabregas moved higher up and flanked by Hazard and Willian/schurrle.

Can't see Jose starting with the two, he knows they'll hammer us. Think there is also a possibility of Pellegrini playing the three off Fernandinho, Fernando and Yaya.

The 4-3-3 will be started here. Rambo has had his best games in a blue shirt against City in the past so lets hope he continues it. Think we'll win 1-0 with a late Costa winner.

[robsblubot 3,502]

There is 100% chance that both Oscar and Ramires will start against City. Their defensive work is needed from the get go.

Willian is the player who can come on and bring something different, like a long shot, quick dribble and flick.

We will return to a deep defense line for this game, which will help our CBs - still a tough match for sure.

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

There is 100% chance that both Oscar and Ramires will start against City. Their defensive work is needed from the get go.

Willian is the player who can come on and bring something different, like a long shot, quick dribble and flick.

We will return to a deep defense line which will help our CBs. Still a tough match for sure.

Hmm think it's gonna be Willian starting instead of Oscar. Willian's got more pace and is better at taking on players. More suited to counter attacking.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

------Diego Costa------

Hazard------------Willian

------Cesc---Ramires---

-----------Matic----------

Luis--------------------Dave

-----Terry---Ivanovic------

---------Courtois-------------

[Jase 43,479]

Didier Drogba predicts difficulties for Frank Lampard against Chelsea

Manchester City must beat Chelsea to get back on track, says Fernandinho

[thekid9 418]

i wanted scotland to still be a part of britain untill i read this comment

He's a Legend, but he should be nowhere near the starting 11 on Sunday after that performance on wed!

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I totally forgot Lampard is with them...

[Billy. 2,742]

(433) Tibo, Dave,JT,Gaz,Luis, Cesc, Matic, Rambo, Hazard,Costa, Willian

[Thor 2,392]

I wouldn't mind the same starting 11 bar Drogba as the Schalke match. Luis really impressed me and looked better and more secure than Azpi up back. Was also more influential going forward IMO.

People overreacted far too much to the Schalke game, considering we lost so much with Drogba out there, seeing as he is not at his best. People need to come down on the reactions after one game, particularly in one which we dominated, created 4 open net chances that happened to go wide, and had a striker that is injured and clearly our 3rd option out there. Drogba took away a lot of our movement that we are used to with Costa out there. I'm not sure if anyone else noticed but we played more long balls against Schalke than we have in all 4 other games combined this season, and yet we were still far better than them.

Add to that, Schalke is not some average team, they are a good one. At the level of an Everton here in the EPL, and it's not like we would make headlines for drawing with them, like some are harping on about here with the draw. Not to mention, with not our strongest side... Does anyone actually think we lose that game with Remy or Costa starting? Exactly...

I feel we come out of this match with less possession, but our team being far more clincal and useful in possession than Man City. Much like last season, although now we have better finishers and creators, and I also think we'll see more of the ball than last seasons fixtures, especially with Yaya going through a rough patch with them at the moment and not looking his best. I'm really confident we win, even if we go down. Even in the Schalke match, in the 90th minute, I thought for sure we would score. Been a long time since I've felt that way about this team. This team oozes confidence on the pitch, and it translates to us fans. We can feel it too.