Man City v Chelsea: Can Benitez outsmart Mancini?
Manchester City have lost just once at the Etihad in 42 Premier League games but Chelsea and Rafa Benitez will fancy their chances of making it two in 43 when they roll up at the champions this afternoon.
Rafa Benitez may not be having the greatest of times at Stamford Bridge but victory today will see them close the gap on City and second place to just a point. Who would have thought that was possible on New Year's Day after losing at home to QPR?
Man City start the day 15 points behind rivals United and can ill afford any more slip-ups between now and the end of the season. Deep down everyone at City knows the title is United's, but they must not give up hope of a possible, but unlikely, disaster at Old Trafford.
After two draws and a defeat, City will be looking to follow up last weekend's convincing FA Cup win over Leeds by sending Chelsea packing this afternoon. But the Blues are undefeated since losing to a last-gasp goal at Newcastle and would love to finish above the champions.
Chelsea have lost their past three visits to the Etihad. You have to go back to September 2008 for the last time they triumphed here. But can they get the job done here today and place Roberto Mancini under more pressure at City? Our pundits have their say.
Man City v Chelsea; Kick Off 1.30pm February 24 2013
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Josh Ben Moshe |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Apoorva Ankur |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Man United |
Peter Johnstone |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Stoke City |
Peter Holland |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
2 |
V |
4 |
|
Spurs |
Adam Crawford |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
2 |
V |
2 |
Panel Verdict
Home win.
Home: 17; Draw: 11; Away: 4. TBA 2.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
