While Chelsea did not leave Paris with a victory, there were many positives to the game. Garry Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic showed that they could be a strong centre back partnership, with Cahill possible being the stand out player in the Chelsea team. Baba Rahman stepped into the left back position and showed why he was signed for such as high price during the summer, while he was not an impenetrable brick wall, he made some mistakes, but he put in a strong performance against Di Maria, who is one of the most dangerous wingers in the world, even putting a great cross to Costa, which should have been converted.
With Matic suspended, Guus Hiddink was unable to do a Matic-Mikel pivot, Fabregas and Mikel showed that they had the ability to perform in big games together. This partnership should be continued on Sunday.
Chelsea face Manchester City at a very fortunate time, with numerous injuries and an important away game in the Champions League on Wednesday. Manuel Pellergrini has already said that he is going to play some youth to allow some of his starters to rest for Wednesday. With this being said, Chelsea will not assume that this game will be easy, especially after the last match ending 3-0, some Chelsea players may even be out for revenge.
Team News
Chelsea
After not travelling to France with the team midweek Captain John Terry (Hamstring) is set to miss another match on Sunday. Oscar is set to be tested before the match to see if he should be available for selection. Alexandre Pato is unlikely to be selected as he is still short of match fitness. Kurt Zouma (Knee) is set to miss the remainder of the season.
Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini has a bigger headache with team selection than Guss Hiddink. Several first XI players are sidelined with injury, including; Samir Nasri (Knee), Wilfried Bony (Calf), Eliaquim Mangala (Hamstring), Kevin De Bruyne (Knee), Navas (Hamstring), Delph (Achilles) and Barcary Sagna (Knee). City also have an away fixture against Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League on Wednesday and has stated he is likely to rest some players, with youngsters Bersant Celina and Manu Garcia set to feature.
Predicted XI
Chelsea
Courtois, Azplicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Baba Rahman, Mikel, Fabregas, Oscar, Pedro, Willian, Costa
Manchester City
Caballero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernando, Fernandinho, Silva, Manu Garcia, Sterling, Ihenacho
Opponent stats
Played: 2
Won: 2
Goals: 7
Conceded: 0
Clean sheets: 2
Top scorer: Iheanacho (4 goals)
Previous matches
Manchester City (Aguero, Kompany, Fernandinho) 3 – 0 Chelsea
Sunday 16th August 2015
Chelsea (Remy) 1 – 0 Manchester City (Silva)
Saturday 31st January 2015
Manchester City (Lampard) 1 – 1 Chelsea (Schurrle)
Sunday 21 September 2014
Head to head
Chelsea: 63
Manchester City: 39
Draw: 51
Form:
Chelsea: LWDDW
Manchester City: LLWWW
Match Details
Date: Sunday 21st February 2016
TV: Sky Sports 1 – (16:00)
