On Thursday night, from 20:15, Chelsea and Manchester City will fight in the 31st round of the Premier League, on Stamford Bridge. Only the hosts have a real goal – to qualify for the next edition of the UEFA Champions League. These are all the ingredients for a quality game in London.
Manchester City is in 2nd place (goal average 71-31) and has won four matches in the last six, being defeated in the championship twice. It comes after a home game with Burnley, which was a “warm-up” for Pep Guardiola’s students, for the trip with Chelsea. Manchester City is in 2nd place and can hardly lose the vice-champion position, in favor of Leicester (3rd place).
Chelsea is on the 4th place (goal difference 53-40) and pulls hard to keep its position, in a duel with Manchester United, Wolverhampton and Sheffield United. Without a four-stage failure, Frank Lampard’s team performed well this season and did not miss the restart. Chelsea won at Aston Villa 2-1 in the first match after the break, the goals of Pulisic (’60) and Giroud (’62) turning the situation on the table.
But it is well known that Manchester City have an enviable offensive force, which can also make a difference on Stamford Bridge. The two teams also met in the English Super Cup last summer, when City won after extra time and penalties. Then, in the championship, the “citizens” prevailed on the Etihad 2-1, although Kante had opened the score (’21). De Bruyne (’29) and Mahrez (’37) turned the game around and had a goal disallowed, in overtime. We rely on the hosts this time.
-In 6 of the last 7 direct matches he scored only one team;
-Chelsea has only one victory in the last 7 games with Manchester City;
-Manchester City have the best offensive averages in England: goals per game and shots on goal;
-Manchester City have 10 wins in 14 home matches this season (36-12);
-Chelsea excel in away games, from where he returned with 8 victories in 15 matches (31-25);
-Abraham is the hosts ‘top scorer (13) and Aguero is the guests’ top scorer (16);
PREDICTION: Manchester City to win @ 1,82
