Chelsea

Chelsea look to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at the San Siro on Wednesday night and they have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 4 points. However, if there is one thing the Blues have relied on this season, it is their form at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea lead the table by 1 point from Manchester United but this is their game in hand over the Champions. They have an impressive 12-1-0 record at Stamford Bridge this season, scoring 39 goals and only conceding 8. The Blues are the joint top scorers at home this season with United and also hold the joint best defensive record at home.

The defeat at Inter Milan was the 2nd in the last 4 games for Chelsea after going 13 games unbeaten in all competitions. Both of those losses came away from home- Chelsea have actually won their last 7 games at home since a 3-3 draw with Everton. They have won 5 Premier League games in a row at home, the last 2 with clean sheets.

Hilario will come into the side in place of the injured Petr Cech who will be missing for a month. Juliano Belletti is likely to come into the side also and allow Florent Malouda to move into a more familiar position.

Manchester City

The sacking of Mark Hughes to be replaced by Roberto Mancini looked like a decent stroke at the beginning but City have begun to struggle and the pressure is building on Mancini. They have been knocked out of the Carling Cup and the FA Cup and have fallen back out of the 4th spot in the Premier League.

City are 5th in the table but have a game in hand over Tottenham who currently occupy 4th spot. They have the same number of points but the Citizens are behind on goal difference at the moment. They have struggled away from home which is letting them down this season and they are 3-6-4 away with 18 goals scored and 19 conceded.

The Citizens have won 1 of their last 6 matches in all competitions, although they have drawn their last 4 matches. City have won 1 of their last 4 matches in the Premier League. They have won only 1 of their last 11 Premier League away games and have lost 3 of their last 5.

Carlos Tevez should be back in the squad after returning from Argentina from compassionate leave. Emmanuel Adebayor is out through suspension after being sent off in midweek.

Head to Head

Manchester City won their meeting with Chelsea earlier this season, stopping a run of 8 consecutive Premier League defeats to the Blues.

City have lost on their last 4 visits to Stamford Bridge, and have also failed to score in their last 7 trips to that part of London.

Prediction

Chelsea will look to bounce back from a rare setback this season and they have won on 3 of the 4 occasions after a defeat. They have looked strong at home and Didier Drogba is in red-hot form. Carlo Ancelloti should play a strong line-up considering there will be a weeks gap before their next game.

Manchester City are struggling, with reports coming out of a rift in the dressing room and Mancini's methods not being accepted by players that were loyal to Mark Hughes. They have a hard time away from home and are lacking confidence at the moment.

I cant see beyond a home win here. I think Chelsea are too strong and they have a real difference maker in the side in Drogba. I think Chelsea will win this by a couple of goals and take up a 4 point lead at the top of the Premier League.

The Pick :

Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Chelsea WIN

HANDICAP BETTING :

Chelsea - 1.5 goals Asian Handicap