Man City will end Chelsea's perfect record
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has adopted an unusual tactic ahead of Chelsea's Saturday lunchtime visit to Eastlands by conceding the title to the pacesetting Blues. "They are probably going to win the Premier League title easily," he mused.
His motivation for making such a statement was perhaps to lower expectations after a mixed start to the season, however after doing the double over Chelsea in 2009-10 and losing just three of their last 31 at home, plenty of Citizens fans will be confident of forcing the champions to finally surrender some points.
Manchester United and Arsenal supporters will no doubt be having the same thoughts and the betting reflects the widespread belief that this could be the game where the leaders at last show signs of weakness, because while they are favourites, their odds are lengthier than usual at [2.24].
That price might have been even bigger if the hosts didn't have up to five defenders out injured on a week where Mancini was criticised by a former coach at the club, Raymond Verheijen, for putting players at risk with overly intensive training. As it stands, the draw looks the pick of the punts at [3.45].
Don't follow stereotype though and assume that this meeting between two Italian coaches will be cautious and cagey - there have been over 2.5 goals ([1.99]) with both teams on the scoresheet ([1.78]) the last five times Mancini and Carlo Ancelotti have engaged in tactical warfare.
The former Inter Milan boss was the winner in four of those clashes, the most recent being Manchester City's 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge last February, memorable for being the only home league loss suffered by Ancelotti since moving to Chelsea last summer. Mancini is [3.7] to triumph again.
Manchester City v Chelsea
Kick-off: 12.45pm
Live on Sky Sports 2
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Published: 24 Sep 2010
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