The game, on Saturday, is the pick of the crop, as the two sides seek to make up for their shock FA Cup showing against lower division sides last weekend.
As if keeping their players for the forthcoming tie, each of the two sides bowed out of English football’s biggest knockout competition in the hands of lower division opposition.
Chelsea lost to League One side, Bradford City, 4-2, in a high-scoring game whose result left The Blues’ manager – Jose Mourinho, “ashamed”.
On their part, Manchester City fell 2-0 to Championship side, Middlesbrough, as they followed Chelsea, Manchester United, Southampton Tottenham and Swansea City as some of the big guns to have fallen out of the running for the FA Cup.
With 16 matches remaining of the current season, each of the clubs in the Barclays Premiership – be they fighting for the crown, a UEFA Champions League spot or survival, now need to up their game.
Without doubt, the two giants will march on the turf on Saturday not only wishing to appease their fans, but also seeking to win. That would cement their status as favourites for the championship. Chelsea go into Saturday’s tie fresh from a League Cup game against Liverpool.
Elsewhere, Manchester United will also be out to save face with a home win over Leicester City, while Liverpool, in League Cup action against Chelsea on Tuesday, will be at home to tricky West Ham United, while
Tottenham are away to West Bromwich Albion, Arsenal at home to Aston Villa and Southampton at home to Swansea.
Other Fixtures
Saturday:
Hull City vs Newcastle United; Stoke City vs Queens Park Rangers;
Sunderland vs Burnley;
Crystal Palace vs Everton
Post published in: Football