Chelsea: Three things to look for vs. Manchester City

2. Goal fest or defensive diligence?

If it is given the green light, all eyes will turn to Stamford Bridge as two of the countries wealthiest and most successful sides lock their financial horns and what many would’ve predicted as a potential title decider. However, Chelsea currently resides in sixth, picking up one win from its last five in the league, whilst City languishes even further down in eighth, admittedly with two games in hand on those above them.

Frank Lampard has struck a frustrated figure on the touchline in recent weeks, witnessing Chelsea lose to Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal, unconvincingly beating West Ham and drawing at home to Aston Villa. The 3-0 victory over the Hammers was only the Blues’ third clean sheet since the end of November, which is in stark contrast to the seven they collected after Edouard Mendy’s arrival in September. In that period, the Blues have scored seven goals, three of those at the expense of West Ham, but are still the joint second highest scorers in the division behind Liverpool.

City, on the other hand, has the best defensive record, leaking just 12 goals, as Guardiola seems to have found a system that works at the back. This has slightly diluted their attacking prowess that has been so scintillating to watch over the past couple of years, caused in part to the persistent injuries to Sergio Aguero.

With City now strangely solid, but subdued up top, and Chelsea inconsistent in both departments, who knows what kind of spectacle supporters will be subjected to. Neither will sit back and soak up pressure, as Tottenham Hotspur have done against the pair of them, yet both will be wary of their rearguard, not wanting to relinquish opportunities to their opposite numbers lethal front lines.