Tuchel's Chelsea to hold off Man City yet again
Champions League holders Chelsea take on current Barclays Premier League winners Manchester City in a huge Saturday lunchtime fixture, where much of the narrative in the build-up has centred around Thomas Tuchel being one of the rare coaches to consistently get the better of Pep Guardiola on the pitch. The visitors to Stamford Bridge sit three points below their hosts after five matches and on the cusp of a gruelling week of three games on the road against some of the toughest opposition in men's football. Read our preview here:
On the Mendy
In 2021/2022 thus far, the Blues have only not 'won' when they have gone down to 10 men, and in that instance, the rearguard action was enough to stifle title rivals Liverpool in a 1-1 draw. Having come through the EFL Cup on penalties after the same scoreline against Aston Villa, Tuchel will rotate the entire XI, reverting back to his preferred 3-4-2-1 with Romelu Lukaku as the apex predator, looking to gobble up any weaknesses in the City backline with the support of Mason Mount and Kai Havertz. In goal, Édouard Mendy is expected to be fit enough to resume his duties between the sticks, and his overall level of performance has already proven pivotal in the rare glimpses their adversaries get sight of his goalmouth. Arguably the most impressive custodian this term, the Senegalese international also boasts an excellent record when facing penalties, reducing further the opportunities to deny him a clean sheet.
Torres, Torres, Torres!
Ferran Torres was left out totally from the bitterly disappointing stalemate at the Eithad against Southampton last weekend, but having netted once more in a lopsided team against Wycombe Wanderers midweek, he will 'lead the line' as a false nine once again. Guardiola's tactical shifts in the same fixture less than four months ago failed spectacularly, and he does have a tendency to try something new in the 'biggest fixtures'. Lessons need to have been learned, and the likely inclusion of Fernandinho to deny Mount in particular the space to roam in between the lines should make the contest one of few presentable chances. Torres must have the support from the likes of a recovered Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish to punch any holes in a back three that, like them, has only conceded once in five league ties to date.
Pep pipped
The centre of defence is an area where players are on the mend for the visitors, and their absence from the weekend (and potentially games against PSG *and* Liverpool) could hurt City badly. Guardiola has also done himself no favours whatsoever by pleading poverty in a month where he's also criticised his own fanbase and failed to understand the English football pyramid and the culture surrounding it. Nobody disputes that he's a fantastic coach, but that doesn't seem to extend at the time of writing to getting one over Tuchel. Chelsea, practically full strength, are 2.62 with betway to win yet again.
