Barclays Premier League |
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Venue: Etihad Stadium Date: Sunday, 16 August |
Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (0)
Manchester City
- 01 Hart
- 03 Sagna
- 04 Kompany
- 20 Mangala
- 11 Kolarov
- 42 Y Touré
- 25 Fernandinho
- 15 Jesús Navas
- 21 Silva
- 07 Sterling
- 10 Agüero
Substitutes
- 05 Zabaleta
- 08 Nasri
- 13 Caballero
- 14 Bony
- 22 Clichy
- 26 Demichelis
- 72 Iheanacho
Chelsea
- 01 Begovic
- 02 Ivanovic
- 24 Cahill
- 26 Terry
- 28 Azpilicueta
- 04 FÃ bregas
- 21 Matic
- 07 Ramires
- 22 Willian
- 10 Hazard
- 19 Diego Costa
Substitutes
- 05 Zouma
- 09 Falcao
- 11 Cuadrado
- 12 Mikel
- 18 Remy
- 27 Blackman
- 36 Loftus-Cheek
Ref: Martin Atkinson
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is fit despite being substituted at West Brom because of a slight groin problem.
Full-back Gael Clichy may return following an ankle injury, but Fabian Delph and Fernando are both ruled out.
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois serves a one-match ban and will be replaced by summer signing Asmir Begovic.
Midfielder Oscar is doubtful after suffering a minor injury in training.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Guy Mowbray: "Last season's corresponding fixture came too soon to be a blockbuster, and this being even earlier feels something of a waste."On last weekend's displays, City are favourites. Their performance at West Brom was magnificent and Vincent Kompany's goal celebrations and post-match words outlined a point to prove to those who've written them out of title contention. Some will have already changed their minds!
"Overshadowed by 'medicgate', Chelsea were a level down from their best against Swansea. They'll have to be better to get the point Jose Mourinho would gladly take here. If they don't, he might need a doctor."
Twitter: @Guymowbray
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "I said the first day I arrived here I have my differences with him [Jose Mourinho] but... I always shake hands with him.""We are not thinking about the title in the second game but we are thinking about trying to win our points at home, especially as we are playing against the champions and one of the teams that has a lot of chances to win the title."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "We are speaking about 38 matches. It is an eternity, a marathon that started last week."
"I cannot say [this match] is not crucial, I cannot say it's not very, very, very important.
"They are title contenders so three points are important, but I cannot say that a win will mean anything significant."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
I rarely tip Chelsea to lose a game under Jose Mourinho but I don't think things are quite right with them at the moment. This is definitely a good time for City to play them. Lawro v BBC 6 Music presenter Mark Radcliffe
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games against Manchester City (W2, D2).
- However, Chelsea have won just one of their previous seven games at the Etihad Stadium in all competitions (W1, D1, L5).
- Manuel Pellegrini's side have won their last seven Premier League home games, keeping clean sheets in six of those matches.
- The last time they failed to win a top-flight home game was on 7 February, when they drew 1-1 with Hull City.
- City completed 693 passes against West Brom - 212 more than any other team in the opening round of Premier League fixtures.
- David Silva has provided 47 assists since making his Premier League debut in August 2010, more than any other player in that period.
- Chelsea have not lost any of their last 28 Premier League games in the month of August (W23, D5) since a 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough in 2006.
- The last time they failed to win either of their opening two Premier League games was in 1998.
- The Blues have only kept one clean sheet in their last six league games.
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