Closed Man City v Chelsea

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Isn't anything new, he's beyond average.

Even at LB

[Hutcho 8,443]

Firstly Lol United

Secondly Lol Pool.

Thirdly Lol Tottenham.

Fourthly, liking that mourinho is going with the 4-3-3. Don't want the Fabregas Matic pivot to get overun and Ramires legs should be good on both sides of the ball.

Finally, Diego Costa is a beast.

[Beigl 1,387]

Come on Chelsea, after Hamiltons's win in Singapur and Uniteds defeat, a convincing win over Man City would made my day.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

From the manager's perspective (starting) 3 players who can't defend in a tough away match seems excessive. Too much of an attacking stance.

We have to see how they are positioned and how hard they work, but such players will need 100% concentration as defending for them isn't as natural.

Which 3 players can't defend? I count only 2 (Hazard and Cesc)

[Jdb2005 12]

Maria and ramieres to boss midfield. Costa to net.

[Barbara 15,149]

I like the lineup as I said a few minutes ago, but I didn't develop further because I was choking on my drool from laughing my arse off at United... but now I'm somewhat recovered, I'll try to talk properly, lol.

I think Ramires and Matic should hold position a lot in this match and I DON'T want/expect them to bomb forward much. Make the transition through Willian and Fabregas and let them get the ball moving to the attack.

It's absolutely necessary - regardless of how good or bad Toure is now (I believe players like him crave big matches like this, so I expect a lot of improvement by him compared to their previous matches this season), that we protect our defense against their two strikers and smart playmaker. So I do hope they follow the instructions I have no doubt Mourinho gave them to think about defending first - and mostly - and let the attackers (including Fab as one of them here) do the transition and set up our attack.

If Rami or Matic venture too much to the attack I think we're screwed.

[Cholo 428]

I'm so excited and nervous. Match days this season are blessing and curse equally cause I look forward to the matches but somehow always tend to be afraid because we need titles so Jose can continue at the bridge! This fking doesn't slip now

[robsblubot 3,508]

Ramires has always struggled against Yaya. Luiz was the one who matched him physically - even before Matic arrived.

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

Good analysis on SKY. The pivot last year between matic and Luiz was great in the big matches. Both could press and drop deep, and if they wasn't close together most of the time as all pivot players should be it was the cover dangerous space.

Today we will have to win a different way, Ramires is just not a pivot player in terms of moving in tandem with Matic so the 3 is needed, hoping that we put our foot on the ball and keep hold of it as that's what we're suited too

[Barbara 15,149]

Ramires has always struggled against Yaya. Luiz was the one who matched him physically - even before Matic arrived.

one more reason for him to hold position and not move forward too much... we need both Rami and Matic more fixed today...

[Melanicus 5,208]

Any good streams?

[Thendo 1,088]

Big game! Come on you blues!

[Milan 17,854]

Visited our dressing room, all smiles

[Term-X 7,891]

Does anyone have a SKY stream?, not a shitty USA NBC one..

[quickpassnmove 924]

let me make sure I'm seeing this correctly: New CB starting for ManCity and NO FERNANDO? Let's go, the Chels! Score some goals!

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,920]

let me make sure I'm seeing this correctly: New CB starting for ManCity and NO FERNANDO? Let's go, the Chels! Score some goals!

Fernando is injured.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

I like the lineup as I said a few minutes ago, but I didn't develop further because I was choking on my drool from laughing my arse off at United... but now I'm somewhat recovered, I'll try to talk properly, lol.

I think Ramires and Matic should hold position a lot in this match and I DON'T want/expect them to bomb forward much. Make the transition through Willian and Fabregas and let them get the ball moving to the attack.

It's absolutely necessary - regardless of how good or bad Toure is now (I believe players like him crave big matches like this, so I expect a lot of improvement by him compared to their previous matches this season), that we protect our defense against their two strikers and smart playmaker. So I do hope they follow the instructions I have no doubt Mourinho gave them to think about defending first - and mostly - and let the attackers (including Fab as one of them here) do the transition and set up our attack.

If Rami or Matic venture too much to the attack I think we're screwed.

Yup, spot on. If Rami and Matic aren't positionally disciplined then we'll concede.

I'm also a little worried about City playing two strikers, they've caused our CBs a lot of trouble in the past where one drops deep and the other runs behind which seems to really fuck with Terry and Cahill. If the CBs go with the strikers they must not get turned, however I'm pretty sure they will so again Matic must be there to cover.

[Garden Of Eden 40]

C'mon boys