The Soccer Saturday panel make their predictions for Saturday's big Premier League game as Manchester City play Chelsea at the Etihad.
Phil Thompson
How do you think Chelsea approach the match? Do they counter, or do they attack in general?
It is hard to see how Chelsea can change in their approach. They have done so well in the way their season has shaped up thus far. They will have no fear at the moment about going to Manchester City. I see them being unchanged, but I think Chelsea will always be vulnerable at the back. In midfield, with the options of Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante, they have a bit of strength in front of the two full-backs, and it is those more offensive players that could do the damage. The likes of Willian, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi and obviously Tammy Abraham. They have also got Christian Pulisic - Frank Lampard may go with him instead of Hudson-Odoi.
What are the keys to victory on both sides?
Can either one of these sides keep a clean sheet? Both defences are vulnerable at the moment. Chelsea’s has always been like that, but with City at the moment, their defence is not looking the same. Will Ederson be available? He was a very big miss against Liverpool and has had two weeks to get himself fitter. What are the permutations going to be with the centre-back pairing? Will it be John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi, Stones and Fernandinho, as there are choices to be made there and that is where the problem lies for Pep Guardiola. He is not 100 per cent sure with the one next to Fernandinho, so the team who keeps a clean sheet will win the game. City can and will score, but there is a good chance of Chelsea notching as well.
Who are the key players for each team?
It is Raheem Sterling for Manchester City. If he is on his game, which he has been for the most of the season, Chelsea will struggle to cope. Because of what has gone on at Anfield, and issues with England and Joe Gomez during the international break, he will be pleased to be back at the Etihad and he will be happy to prove a point.
The big one for Chelsea will be Tammy Abraham. He will relish playing against whoever Pep opts to go with at the back. Abraham has had a fantastic start to the season and Lampard will be saying that he will get a chance and be telling him to be ready to take it against Man City, so it will be interesting to see how it develops.
Because of the uncertainty in those centre-back areas, especially if Chelsea press high, it could spell danger. If Claudio Bravo is in goal, he is nowhere near the quality of Ederson with the ball at his feet and this is another worry for the champions. It will be a quicker way of winning the ball back for Chelsea.
Who will Liverpool want to win more?
I would think that Liverpool would want a draw, as the best result. If they were wanting one to win then it would be Chelsea. Man City will be at full strength soon and could win every game from now until the end of the season once they get their best team back. With that in mind, Liverpool would probably want Chelsea to win.
Where will both teams finish in the league?
At this moment, I would go with Manchester City in second and Chelsea in third place. Both are consistent in their performances and are showing enough to match this prediction.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-2 Chelsea or tweet
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