MX23RW : Wednesday, March 12 12:28:38| >> :60:2081:2081:

Preview: Chelsea vs. Manchester City

Sports Mole looks ahead to this Sunday's highly anticipated Premier League tie between Chelsea and Manchester City

New Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez begins his term at Stamford Bridge with a mouth-watering clash against Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.

It's a tough test for the former Liverpool boss, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo on Wednesday, as he attempts to win over a host of supporters who have yet to give the Spaniard their backing.

Chelsea sit third in the league table, while City currently top the standings following their 5-0 rout over Aston Villa last weekend.

Benitez is likely to opt for Fernando Torres, with who he reunited this week following both of their stints at Anfield, up front, while Eden Hazard and Juan Mata are expected to provide support from the wide areas.

Roberto Mancini is likely to place Sergio Aguero up top, while Joleon Lescott could return to the fray in defence and Carlos Tevez could once again be handed a spot on the bench.

Recent form:

Chelsea: WLDDL

Man City: WWDWW

Possible lineups:

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Hazard, Oscar, Mata; Torres

Man City: Hart; Maicon, Nastasic, Lescott, Zabaleta; Toure, Garcia; Silva, Nasri, Tevez; Aguero

Sports Mole says: 1-2


ID:55964: cacheID:55964:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3407:
Written by
Danielle Joynson

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rafael Benitez holds the Chelsea shirt as he is unveiled as manager on November 22, 2012
Read Next:
Mancini wary of Benitez's Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!