Preview
No way, Jose! Mourinho's title contenders look to make City stammer at the Bridge.
Two former Real Madrid managers will lock horns on Sunday afternoon in a fracas many feel will churn out the Premier League champions of the 2013/2014 season.
Despite Arsenal's cool two-point lead at the top, the accomplished might of Super Sunday's powerful participators makes the respective clubs more likely to land the title next year.
Both sides enjoyed clamorous Champions League victories in mid-week; Chelsea disposing of German giants Schalke 04 at the Veltin-Arena and Manchester City seizing a nervy 2-1 win in Moscow. Jose Mourinho's acclaimed influence in European football has incontrovertibly fired The Pensioners to first place in Group E whilst Manuel Pellegrini's notorious success in the Champions League has seen his side play with more efficiency on the road.
Sergio Aguero bagged a bracein mid-week to give his side the win in Moscow.
'El Cashico' (as the tie has been ridiculously termed) has always been a tale of strikers, however, Chelsea may be regretting their decision to allow Romelu Lukaku leave on loan after seeing Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o score only four goals between them so far this season. Fortunately for us blues, Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo have ensured scoring goals isn't a problem for Manchester City; the pair have netted thirteen goals between them.
Recent history favours the sky blues who haven't lost to Chelsea since 2011. Sergio Aguero scored a superb header to launch City past Chelsea in last year's FA Cup Semi-Final and the Argentine will be hopeful of sinking the blues yet again this afternoon. However, records sometimes have to be broken. 'The Special One' has never lost a Premier League game in charge of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and when Aguero has scored, City have never been on the losing side. It's likely that one of those monumental records will be shattered today.
City will have to be on top form to end Mourinho's excellent home record.
The battle between 5th and 6th promises to be a choleric quarrel in which records, grudges, points and egos will be broken, settled, won and lost.
It's Mourinho v's Manuel in a titanic tie that will surely have major repercussions on the winner of the Premier League title.
2-2
Line-Up
Vincent Kompany is still not fit enough to feature and will not be making the trip down to London. However, Martin Demichelis is available for selection and his experience may provide City with a smart option in the back four. Pellegrini still has decisions to make regarding the defence and has to consider whether Javi Garcia will be fast enough to deal with the pace and trickery of Oscar and Hazard. Playing Micah Richards alongside Nastasic could be an uncanny, but effective option.
Martin Demichelis is available for selection and could feature alongside Matija Nastasic on Sunday.
Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and David Silva have all but cemented a spot in Pellegrini's starting eleven, but that still leaves a slot on the right side of midfield vacant. Samir Nasri, James Milner and Jesus Navas will all compete for the place, but James Milner's industry may make him a favourable choice for Sunday's game.
Jack Rodwell has returned to fitness and is expected to get a few minutes at the Bridge.
Key Men
Oscar
Chelsea's top scorer this season has been a revelation since signing from Internacional in 2012. His low centre of gravity allows him to weave in and out of defenders with ease and on many occasions this year, he has won games for Chelsea on his own.
Sergio Aguero
Aguero has been City's main man this season and can't stop scoring at the moment. He already has 9 goals for the sky blues and his impressive record against Chelsea will give the City faithful confidence that he can add to his tally this afternoon.
