Premier League betting – Chelsea vs Man City

h2> Chelsea Vs Man City betting preview

Manchester City travel to leaders Chelsea on Saturday but all eyes will be on John Terry and Wayne Bridge. The pair are due to meet on the pitch for the first time since details of the alleged affair were made public. Bridge this week declared himself unavailable for selection for the World Cup squad, so it will be interesting how the pair pit their wits against each other come Saturday Lunchtime. Terry’s Chelsea are odds on to maintain their unbeaten home record at 4/9, Bridge’s City are a massive 7/1 to win at the Bridge and the draw is trading at 10/3 with Coral.

Chelsea slipped to a narrow defeat in the San Siro in midweek against Internazionale in the Champions League. Despite outplaying their Italian counterparts for long periods, the Blues did manage to grab an all important away goal which means the return leg is evenly poised. Domestically, the Blues’ lead at the Premier League summit was cut to just one point after Manchester United won comfortably against West Ham on Tuesday. But Carlo Ancelotti’s side are yet to be beaten at Stamford Bridge; United, Arsenal and Liverpool all succumbing to defeats in West London.

The pair last met at Eastlands in early December when Mark Hughes’ City side inflicted a 2-1 defeat on the league leaders. Roberto Mancini took over the reigns from Hughes and have lost just twice in the league under his stewardship. It’s always difficult for any manager taking over a team halfway through the season, but it is questionable whether they have improved under the Italian. The Citizens are in the middle of a mini crisis having drawn their last three league outings and they were knocked out of the FA Cup in midweek at Stoke which ended their hopes of any silverware this season. They currently lie 5th in the table level on points with Spurs who occupy the final Champions League spot. Is this the best time to be visiting Stamford Bridge after Chelsea’s midweek San Siro defeat or should they fear a Blues backlash?

Carlos Tevez’s recent absence meant the Argentine missed City’s toothless stalemate against Liverpool last weekend. He returned to his homeland under a cloud after his wife gave birth prematurely and there were fears he wasn’t going to make the trip to the Bridge. But he is set to be available and how City need their star striker back to inject some firepower and provide the cutting edge in attack. He is 8/1 with Blue Square to score first. Carlo Ancelotti will be looking for a response from his players after the 2-1 defeat at Inter. Didier Drogba was well marshalled by the impressive Lucio in the San Siro and failed to add to his 25 goals this term. The Ivorian scored a brace last time out at Wolves and will be a popular pick at 7/2 with Bet365 to break the deadlock.

City will be without Emmanuel Adebayor who was sent off in the cup tie at Stoke on Wednesday, so Roque Santa Cruz will probably come in for the Togolese striker. Bellamy who scored in midweek, may line up on the wing, as City aim to be the first team to leave the Bridge with all three points this season. Ancelotti will be aware of City’s frailties in defence and Stoke were able to expose this by slamming 3 past Shay Given. Expect there to be goals in this one for leaders and take up the attractive 7/5 Paddy Power are offering that the home side win to nil.

Betting Verdict

Chelsea have won all but one Premier League game at the Bridge, and when you look at Man City’s woeful recent form, especially away from home, a large bet on Chelsea to win at 1.44 with Betfred

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