Chelsea face their toughest test of the season tomorrow afternoon as they face Man City in what is the standout Premier League fixture of the weekend.
Team News
Chelsea
Eden Hazard looks set to make his first Premier League start of the season and Pedro is likely to play after being rested midweek in the win over Atletico Madrid.
Defender David Luiz completes his three-match domestic suspension for his dismissal against Arsenal, with Andreas Christensen poised to deputise. Midfielder Danny Drinkwater (calf) is the only definite injury absentee.
Man City
Sergio Aguero will miss the game having suffered a broken rib after being involved in a car crash in Amsterdam.
Full-back Benjamin Mendy is also unavailable due to a knee injury while Vincent Kompany is not fit.
What Antonio Conte says
“If Hazard was able to play one game like the last game against Atletico Madrid it means he’s ready now to play with continuity.
“For us, he’s an important player. Last season he had an important season, he played very well, he performed as a top player. I’m very happy for him.
“It will not be easy to make [selection] decisions tomorrow, because, in my eyes, there is the last performance against Atletico Madrid.”
“Every single player performed very well in this game. But I have to check the physical condition for every single player and then to make the best decision.”
Match Facts
Head-to-head
- Chelsea were the only side to beat Manchester City home and away in the Premier League last season.
- City’s 3-0 away victory in April 2016, when Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick, is one of just two league and cup triumphs in their last 20 visits to Stamford Bridge (D5, L13).
Chelsea
- The Blues have won 10 of their 12 league games since mid-April, with their only defeat in that period coming at home to Burnley on the opening weekend of this season.
- Chelsea’s tally of 13 points from the past five matches is the joint-highest in the division alongside the two Manchester clubs.
- The goalless draw with Arsenal in their last Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge is the only time in 28 competitive home matches under Antonio Conte that Chelsea have failed to score.
- They could play consecutive Premier League home matches without scoring for the first time since November 2012. A team managed by Conte has never failed to score in successive top-flight home fixtures.
- Alvaro Morata has six goals in his first six Premier League appearances. Micky Quinn scored a record 10 times in his first seven appearances in the competition, followed by Diego Costa with nine goals.
- Eden Hazard has scored three goals and set up two in his last five Premier League games against Manchester City.
Is the game on TV?
The match is live on BT Sport 1, with coverage starting from 5pm.