Second Sunday’s match of the 29th round of the Premier League is more interesting out of the two as reigning champion meets team that most probably will be the new champion of England, given that leading Manchester City has even 16 points more than 2nd-placed team, Manchester United, while at the same time 5th-positioned Chelsea has big 22 points fewer than the Citizens. Besides, their match played at the Stamford Bridge last autumn had ended as City’s away victory of 1-0.
In that way the Citizens had revenged in the best possible way to the Blues for two defeats suffered in previous season, and at the same symbolically announced imminent change at the top of English Premier League. In the meantime difference between the Citizens and teams right behind them has been increasing with each passing round, and after the latest away triumph over Arsenal 3-0 they again have even 16 points more than 2nd-placed Manchester United.
Last weekend the Citizens won Arsenal by 3-0 in the final of League Cup too, and won the first title since manager Guardiolo took over the team. Before, they were eliminated from the FA Cup after away defeat by Wigan, while in the Champions League they are practically in the quarter-final as they won away the 1st leg with Basel by 4-0. Let’s add that at the moment are injured defenders Walker and Mendy, midfielder Fernandinho and forward Sterling, while midfielder Delph is suspended.
Probable lineups Manchester City: Ederson – Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Zinchenko – de Bruyne, Gundogan, D. Silva – B. Silva, Aguero, Sane
Regarding reigning champions of England, they come to the Etihad to bow to their successor as it is very hard to expect that team led by manager Guardiola can drop such great point advantage in remaining 10 rounds. On the other hand, Chelsea experiences substantial troubles in the league where they moved down at the fifth place in the table after four-game winless streak of three defeats and one draw, although it still has just two points fewer than 4th-placed Tottenham and four than 3rd-positioend Liverpool.
It means that Chelsea is still in the race for the Champions League, competition in which they drew at home with Barcelona 1-1 in the 1st leg of the round of 16, meaning they have a difficult task at the Camp Nou if they want to reach next round. Before that Chelsea needs to play a difficult away match with leading Manchester City, but the good part is that only three players are out of action due to injuries, stopper Luiz and midfielders Bakayoko and Barkley.
Probable lineups Chelsea: Courtois – Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger – Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso – Willian, Hazard – Morata
Although they have great point advantage over teams behind them we expect from leading team of the Premier League to play maximally offensively from the first minute and win without too many problems still reigning champions of England.
Pick: Manchester City
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