Man City v Chelsea K/O 7:45 PM, Sky Sports 1

GavRedKing

V

Carlos Tevez could make his long-awaited return for Manchester City when they welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

Tevez's time at City looked to be over following his refusal to warm-up during the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich in September, but he returned to the club last month and has been working hard on his fitness.

Manager Robert Mancini has hinted that it will be another month before Tevez will start a game for City but the striker could be named on the bench for the visit of the Blues.

Mancini has a number of injury concerns ahead of the match with Lescott (groin) out and Vincent Kompany (calf) a major doubt. However, he has been boosted b the news that Pablo Zabaleta (hamstring) and midfielder Gareth Barry (back) are available for selection.

Chelsea will be without captain John Terry for the trip north.

Terry returned earlier than expected from knee surgery to play in the Champions League win over Napoli and Sunday's FA Cup success against Leicester, but he has been feeling the strain and will sit out Wednesday's match. However, he is expected to return in time for Saturday's game with Tottenham.

Caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo must decide whether to include Fernando Torres after the Spaniard ending his goal-drought against Leicester, while he could turn to the old guard of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba for the Etihad clash.

Manchester City (from): Hart, Pantilimon, Richards, Zabaleta, Kompany, Savic, K Toure, Clichy, Kolarov, Johnson, Milner, De Jong, Y Toure, Barry, Pizarro, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Balotelli, Dzeko, Tevez.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Bertrand, Mikel, Essien, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Malouda, Drogba, Torres, Sturridge, Kalou, Turnbull.

Hope we can beat City tonight and make up some ground on Spurs and Arsenal, wont be easy given City's impressive home record this season but with Citys problems at CB I think we'll get something from the game.

Prediction: 1-1

The_Kew_Tour

Going to feel like dirt for saying this, but come on Chelsea!!

Kylo Ren

City 1 - 2 Chelsea

Torres to score.

GavRedKing

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Going to feel like dirt for saying this, but come on Chelsea!!

We've set this up in the corner for all the Utd fans wanting us to them a favour.



Just so ye dont feel too dirty. :P

Jax Teller

I sat around waiting for this on Monday some stupid website never changed it from monday to Wednesday .

_blank_

New Money -v- Newer Money

Tacky -v- Tawdry

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

kryogen

Looking forward to this, if City win $$$, if Chelsea win or its a draw I'm going to be delighted too

Terry will be a big loss to Chelsea, Lescott deffo out from what I hear but Kompany still only a doubt, if he doesnt play it could be a beautiful night.

GavRedKing

I'm going to take a guess at our starting 11.

---

Cech

---

Ivan----Cahill

---

Luiz----Cole

---

Ramires----Essien

---

Sturridge----Lamps

---

Mata

---

Torres

---

I just think he'll start Torres against them, dont know why though.

Lord TSC

Probably the only time i will ever say this but LETS GO CHELSEA! Be nice if they ended the league tonight

*Runs to the shower*

willmunny1990

gavredking wrote: »

I'm going to take a guess at our starting 11.

---

Cech

---

Ivan----Cahill

---

Luiz----Cole

---

Ramires----Essien

---

Sturridge----Lamps

---

Mata

---

Torres

---

I just think he'll start Torres against them, dont know why though.

Convinced Drogba will start after been rested on sunday. No doubt IMO. Torres to come off the bench.

I think Ramires will be on the left and mata in the centre like it was for the Napoli game. Ivan might play cb and bos rb.

GavRedKing

willmunny1990 wrote: »

Convinced Drogba will start after been rested on sunday. No doubt IMO. Torres to come off the bench.

I think Ramires will be on the left and mata in the centre like it was for the Napoli game. Ivan might play cb and bos rb.

So drop Lamps into CM, Ramires wide and Mata central? Could work also.

I dont think Bosingwa will come back though, hes a liabilty.

Its really a coin toss between Torres and Drogba but Drogba is slight favourite to start alright.

Sgt Pepper 64

Could start both and drop Danny :eek:

willmunny1990

gavredking wrote: »

So drop Lamps into CM, Ramires wide and Mata central? Could work also.

I dont think Bosingwa will come back though, hes a liabilty.

Its really a coin toss between Torres and Drogba but Drogba is slight favourite to start alright.

I dont think Di Matteo will be swayed enough by Torres two goals to start him. He left out Drogba in order to rest him for this game IMO, and I can't see him not starting.

I agree that Bos can be a liability but he was the one that came on for JT against napoli with Ivan moving to cb even though Cahill was on the bench. not sure if he'll start the same way tonight or bring in Cahill.

Xavi6

Chelsea by two

GavRedKing

Xavi6 wrote: »

Chelsea by two

Very pesimistic Xavi6.

If we do win it it will be by the odd goal. Even the most opmistic Chelsea fan wouldnt perdict a +2 score line.

What team dya reckon Mancini will send out?

Xavi6

willmunny1990 wrote: »

I dont think Di Matteo Terry, Lampard and Cashley will be swayed enough by Torres two goals to start him.

FYP

Xavi6

gavredking wrote: »

Very pesimistic Xavi6.

If we do win it it will be by the odd goal. Even the most opmistic Chelsea fan wouldnt perdict a +2 score line.

We have absolutely nothing at centre half against a team that has decided to play well again. We'll concede more than one.

What team dya reckon Mancini will send out?

Depends what mood he's in, could be Kolarov at full back, two up front, Johnson on the wing, Nasri in the hole...so it's hard to predict.

If it was my way, given there are only donkeys to play at the back in the middle, it'd be -

Hart

Richards Kolo Savic Clichy

De Jong Barry Milner

Silva Dzeko Aguero

Need plenty of protection in front of that back four, Milner brings energy to the middle of the park, Balotelli could do something stupid, and Johnson's been shit pretty much every time he's started. Same goes for Nasri too actually.

Jax Teller

If Savic plays Mancini deserves a slap .

RasTa

I can't see Chelsea doing us any favors tonight. 3-1 City.

what a day

Will be a tough game, id be happy enough with a draw and a good performance but we will have to beat spurs either way.

Di Matteo will probably go for the same line up against Napoli and id agree with him. I think Drogba will start tonight and rest Torres for the spurs game, altough Torres may make a late appearance tonight also.
Would not be suprized to see Mikel start instead of Sturridge and allow Ramires up on our right hand side.
I would like to see Torres play as a LF as he likes to move around and can cut in on his favoured right foot.

---

Cech

---

Ivan---Luiz----Cahill----Cole

---

Ramires--Essien

---

-Sturridge---Mata---Lampard-

---

Drogba

---

2 - 1 Chelsea :rolleyes:

GavRedKing

Xavi6 wrote: »

We have absolutely nothing at centre half against a team that has decided to play well again. We'll concede more than one.

Depends what mood he's in, could be Kolarov at full back, two up front, Johnson on the wing, Nasri in the hole...so it's hard to predict.

If it was my way, given there are only donkeys to play at the back in the middle, it'd be -

Hart

Richards Kolo Savic Clichy

De Jong Barry Milner

Silva Dzeko Aguero

Need plenty of protection in front of that back four, Milner brings energy to the middle of the park, Balotelli could do something stupid, and Johnson's been shit pretty much every time he's started. Same goes for Nasri too actually.

Ya the middle 3 of De Jong, Barry, Milner will be key if thats what he picks.

I can see Dzeko starting too, especially with JT out, also in the recent Bosnia v Brazil game ha had a stormer against Luiz.

If Zabelata is fit I can nearly see Richards pushed in field to CB.

Going to be an interesting battle tonight to say the least.

willmunny1990

Xavi6 wrote: »

We have absolutely nothing at centre half against a team that has decided to play well again. We'll concede more than one.



Depends what mood he's in, could be Kolarov at full back, two up front, Johnson on the wing, Nasri in the hole...so it's hard to predict.

If it was my way, given there are only donkeys to play at the back in the middle, it'd be -

Hart

Richards Kolo Savic Clichy

De Jong Barry Milner

Silva Dzeko Aguero

Need plenty of protection in front of that back four, Milner brings energy to the middle of the park, Balotelli could do something stupid, and Johnson's been shit pretty much every time he's started. Same goes for Nasri too actually.

Kompany WILL play. don't be getting our hopes up.

GavRedKing

RasTa wrote: »

I can't see Chelsea doing us any favors tonight. 3-1 City.

We have ourselves to think about and finishing in the top 4. Chelsea will not lose tonight, we'll take a point at the very least.

GavRedKing

willmunny1990 wrote: »

Kompany WILL play. don't be getting our hopes up.

Fully fit Drogba/Torres against a far from 100% Kompany?

I'll take it.

Jax Teller

Why no Yaya Toure in Xavi's team ? He injured or suspended ?

willmunny1990

gavredking wrote: »

We have ourselves to think about and finishing in the top 4. Chelsea will not lose tonight, we'll take a point at the very least.

When was the last time City dropped points at home in the league?

surely over a year at this stage, I dont know how you could be so confident we will get something.

willmunny1990

gavredking wrote: »

Fully fit Drogba/Torres against a far from 100% Kompany?

I'll take it.

That's if he is far from 100%, he could be just fine.

the thought of Drogba up against savic makes me smile though I have to admit. :pac:

Xavi6

Coletrickle88 wrote: »

Why no Yaya Toure in Xavi's team ? He injured or suspended ?

Completely forgot about him.

Stick him centre half with Richards so and fuck Kolo and Savic off.

kryogen

Xavi6 wrote: »

Chelsea by two

With a bit of luck!

Xavi6

willmunny1990 wrote: »

That's if he is far from 100%, he could be just fine.

Why would he be 'just fine' after missing the last two and a bit games?

He's still doubtful according to all reports (40% apparently) so unless you have the inside scoop from Carrington there's been nothing to suggest that he will play.

kryogen

Coletrickle88 wrote: »

If Savic plays Mancini deserves a slap .

If Kompany and Lescott both miss out, he wont have much other option, maybe playing Richards in the centre, but why buy Savic if not going to use him, he has to learn sometime, and as a United fan, I want to see him play

Jax Teller

Xavi6 wrote: »

Completely forgot about him.

Stick him centre half with Richards so and fuck Kolo and Savic off.

I would personally go
Richards Kolo Yaya Clichy/Kolarov
If Kompany and Lescott are out and send Savic back wherever he came from .

willmunny1990

Xavi6 wrote: »

Why would he be 'just fine' after missing the last two and a bit games?

He's still doubtful according to all reports (40% apparently) so unless you have the inside scoop from Carrington there's been nothing to suggest that he will play.

He arrived at the etihad this morning with the other City players which indicates hes in the squad at the least. check @ianirv on twitter.

GavRedKing

willmunny1990 wrote: »

When was the last time City dropped points at home in the league?

surely over a year at this stage, I dont know how you could be so confident we will get something.

Why not? City are under huge pressure and need the points and arent playing too well at the moment and are potentially missing their 2 CB's and we've gone through a mini revival with 4 straight wins and 4 good perfromances.

Now is a good a chance as any to take points from City at the Etihad.

Xavi6 wrote: »

Completely forgot about him.

Stick him centre half with Richards so and fuck Kolo and Savic off.

Coletrickle88 wrote: »

I would personally go
Richards Kolo Yaya Clichy/Kolarov
If Kompany and Lescott are out and send Savic back wherever he came from .

Are ye really suggesting playing Yaya Toure at CB?

It will probably be Yaya in AM next to Silva and behind Aguero/Dzeko.

Xavi6

willmunny1990 wrote: »

He arrived at the etihad this morning with the other City players which indicates hes in the squad at the least. check @ianirv on twitter.

He's club captain so of course he's there, doesn't mean he's playing (but I hope he is of course).

Anyway, you of all people should know the influence the skipper has

ironbluedun

savic is far too inexperienced for a game like this...the chap needs time........if he plays chelsea get something from the game.

ironbluedun

Xavi6 wrote: »

Anyway, you of all people should know the influence the skipper has

they sure do, a massive influence.

willmunny1990

gavredking wrote: »

Why not? City are under huge pressure and need the points and arent playing too well at the moment and are potentially missing their 2 CB's and we've gone through a mini revival with 4 straight wins and 4 good perfromances.

Now is a good a chance as any to take points from City at the Etihad.





Are ye really suggesting playing Yaya Toure at CB?

It will probably be Yaya in AM next to Silva and behind Aguero/Dzeko.

Them under pressure just means they will try harder to beat us. Half of their problems have been starting slow in games, they'll probably start like a house on fire against us. I think we could get something from he game but will need alot of luck.

Y Toure played at cb for Barcelona sometimes. I think I remember him playing there against United a few years back in the final? doesn't matter anyway, his brother will play there with Kompany.

Jax Teller

Yaya Toure played Cb a few times for Barca don't see why he couldn't do a job there . Couldn't do much worse than Savic .

I don't really care who plays where for either team I'm just hopefully going to enjoy this tonight .

Xavi6

gavredking wrote: »

Are ye really suggesting playing Yaya Toure at CB?

Yep, half the commentators think he's a defensive midfielder so it's only a small step back to centre half

Having said all this, if Savic starts I'm putting a fiver on him to score any time (currently 14/1-ish).

Sgt Pepper 64

ironbluedun wrote: »

they sure do, a massive influence.

Even from the sidelines

GavRedKing

Coletrickle88 wrote: »

Yaya Toure played Cb a few times for Barca don't see why he couldn't do a job there . Couldn't do much worse than Savic .

I don't really care who plays where for either team I'm just hopefully going to enjoy this tonight .

Huge difference in playing CB with Barcelona and having 70-75 % of the ball with 4 of the best attacking players on the planet att he time ahead of ya.

Sure Mascherano plays Cb for Bacra now and gets away with it.

Xavi6 wrote: »

Yep, half the commentators think he's a defensive midfielder so it's only a small step back to centre half

Having said all this, if Savic starts I'm putting a fiver on him to score any time (currently 14/1-ish).

Not a huge step of course, but i see him as a box to box player, hes immense I'll agree but a CB he aint.

For the LOL's they should play Savic and Yaya in there. :pac:

GavRedKing

willmunny1990 wrote: »

Them under pressure just means they will try harder to beat us. Half of their problems have been starting slow in games, they'll probably start like a house on fire against us. I think we could get something from he game but will need alot of luck.

Y Toure played at cb for Barcelona sometimes. I think I remember him playing there against United a few years back in the final? doesn't matter anyway, his brother will play there with Kompany.

First Final 09, was Pique and Puyol and last year was Mascherano and Pique.

Anyway i dont care as long as we win. :cool:

willmunny1990

gavredking wrote: »

First Final 09, was Pique and Puyol and last year was Mascherano and Pique.

Anyway i dont care as long as we win. :cool:

Remember abidal and alves got suspended for the final in 09 after the semi at the Bridge. almost sure Puyol deputised at fullback with Toure playing cb.

Jax Teller

gavredking wrote: »

First Final 09, was Pique and Puyol and last year was Mascherano and Pique.

Anyway i dont care as long as we win. :cool:

Puyol played Rb in the 09 final so it was Puyol Toure Piqué Silvinho .

Moving on from this now .

SlickRic

lots and lots of goals.

3-3 i reckon.

MoscowFlyer

I cannot believe the price City are tonight considering their home record and how poor Chelsea have been on the road

City @ Home - P14 W14 F42 A6
Chelsea Away - P14 W5 D5 L4 F17 A13

Im sorry but wins against Brum/Napoli/Leicester/Stoke don't fill me with confidence. It's good to see the bookies are taking notice though, I can fill my boots

City 3-1 Chelsea

There is no way Kompany isn't playing.

GavRedKing

Coletrickle88 wrote: »

Puyol played Rb in the 09 final so it was Puyol Toure Piqué Silvinho .

Moving on from this now .

I stand corrected.

Wasnt that the final Keita refused to start as a Full Back and was benched?

Kylo Ren

This on tv lads?

ROCKMAN

For all the utd fans feeling dirty for cheering on Chelsea

How do you think I feel .....

I have 2 Chelsea Fans coming to my place to watch the game .One even joked about bringing a Chelsea shirt for me...
(Something to start the fire )

Now thats low down dirty :pac::D


As for the game 2-2 would be enough to keep me happy