Chelsea too much for Man City?
By Michael Da Silva
It didn’t take long for Chelsea, Arsenal, Man United, Man City and Spurs to establish themselves as the Premier League’s top five, did it? But as Chelsea storm into a blistering lead, Carlo Ancelotti’s men face the first major test of their Premier League credentials with a trip to filthy rich Manchester City.
Manchester City (+260) vs. Chelsea (+110)
That’s right, just one game dominates this weekend’s action as the two richest clubs in the Premier League go toe-to-toe. And they’ve got history. This is the first time the two sides have met since Wayne Bridge’s infamous non-handshake with John Terry, a game which Chelsea went on to lose 4-2 at home, thanks to double strikes from Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy.
Chelsea failed to get the better of Manchester City on both occasions last season, also losing 2-1 in an epic battle at Eastlands – Tevez again scored the winner there. So it would make sense to back the Argentine to find the net again on Saturday, at odds of +140. He is also +500 to be the first or last goal scorer. Not bad given how much he seems to like scoring against Chelsea. Will Man City move Gareth Barry to left back?
But are City’s star names a team to be taken seriously against heavyweights like Chelsea? Or are they just, well, individuals?
In my eyes, Chelsea will take some stopping on Saturday. Their form, albeit against some of the Premier League’s more modest opponents, has been breathtaking. It’s a frightening proposition for a Manchester City side missing some key players at the back too.
Lescott, Bridge, Boateng and Kolarov are all injured and Micah Richards faces a late fitness test, meaning Gareth Barry may have to fill in at left back if Mancini decides not to play Zabaleta. Not an ideal scenario going into a game with Chelsea’s offensive power.
For the Londoners, revenge will be on their minds as well as the desire to maintain their perfect start to the season. With Florent Malouda having scored six goals in less than four full games from midfield, he will be integral to Chelsea’s chances of taking all three points at Eastlands.
He’s grown significantly in stature over the past two or three years as he’s adjusted to the demands of the English game. He’s certainly worth backing to score at any time at odds of +225, and has featured first on the score-sheet on three occasions already, so keep an eye on the Frenchman opening the scoring, at +750.
Didier Drogba, too, has been in scintillating form, with Ancelotti able to maximise all sides of his game, not just as a goal scorer but as a regular provider of goals. The Ivory Coast native boasts five goals and five assists in five games. Not bad, eh?
He remains the powerhouse he always has been though, and should always be backed to score in the big games, with odds of -125 on offer. Not jaw-dropping, but Drogba does tend to score.
There will also be a number of key battles across the pitch. Malouda vs Yaya Toure, David Silva vs Michael Essien, Carlos Tevez vs John Terry… so expect passion, cards, and maybe even penalties.
As City-Chelsea games always are, it should be free flowing and full of attacking flair but Chelsea should edge this one in the form they are in, and, given the injury problems for City at the back.
Prediction: Manchester City 0-2 Chelsea (+900)
Bolton (+650) vs Manchester United (-200)
Following their dramatic late win over rivals Liverpool through THAT Dimitar Berbatov hat-trick, Manchester United will feel like they’re on a high again.
Draws at Everton and Fulham had tempered what could have been a Chelsea-esque start to the season for the Red Devils, but that bad habit of conceding late goals (exceedingly late in the case of the Everton game) has haunted them – not to mention cost them four valuable points.
But Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams are made of strong stuff, and they’ll certainly need that for the short trip to Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.
Owen Coyle has got Bolton playing nice football and is pioneering a change of culture at a club synonymous, under previous management, with battering opponents in a style once referred to as “anti-football” by Arsene Wenger. But Wenger has since turned his attention to criticising Stoke and Coyle has quietly gone about his business of making Bolton a side that plays attractive football that yields results.
But that doesn’t mean they be able to get the better of a Manchester United side inspired by not only Dimitar Berbatov, the man Ferguson has referred to as “my genius”, but also Nani.
The Portuguese winger has finally started to deliver on a regular basis having spent years in the shadow of compatriot Critiano Ronaldo and, given the long term injury to Antonio Valencia, Nani will be depended upon to assist and score with the kind of frequency that saw Valencia do so well last season.
But Nani has already started the season well with one goal and five assists and, at times last weekend, he simply tore Liverpool’s Paul Konchesky to shreds. Nani is a player growing in belief and, at odds of +250, a strong candidate to score. As is Berbatov at +100.
On Bolton’s side of things, although I expect them to be second best all over the pitch on Sunday, striker Johan Elmander has been in strong form and, if the Trotters find the net, the Swede could be the man to get it. Back him at +333.
Although Bolton will be eager to put the misery of their midweek Carling Cup defeat to Burnley behind them, they won’t gain comfort with the visit of United. Ferguson’s side will be superior in every area of the pitch, and they should be backed to take all three points.
Prediction: Bolton 1-3 Manchester United (+1100)