Man City vs Chelsea: Sterling to Shine?

Aug 14, 2015 - by Dani

Mourinho planning something for man city vs Chelsea

Was the whole doctor scandal just a smokescreen before Man City vs Chelsea? (Getty Images)

Raheem Sterling might exploit the Blues’ lack of full-backs in the Man City vs Chelsea game on Sunday.

The two teams expected to be involved in a title race will meet on Sunday. The most waited game of the Premier League’s second round will be the Man City vs Chelsea clash. Chelsea news were dominated by Jose Mourinho’s row with team doctor Eva Caneiro. All this secured an opportunity for the Special One to avert the attention from his workshop. Somewhere in a dark room a master plan for the Man City vs Chelsea game was being drafted.

Since Chelsea has only one natural full-back, the Blues’ defence might need some tinkering. The lack of quick, mobile defenders might forecast a big game for the hosts’ attackers like Sergio Aguero or Raheem Sterling. However, fans of live sports results expect Mourinho to cope with the lack of speed in his defence through organization and team effort in the Man City vs Chelsea game. Man City are 2.05 (21/20) favourites according to Bet365. Draw is available at 3.40 (12/5), while Chelsea’s success is priced at 3.50 (5/2).

The Guardian.com: Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling: Chelsea meeting vital to title hopes

The Sky Blues’ marquee signing from the summer, Raheem Sterling thinks that the Man City vs Chelsea weekend match will be vital for their campaign. Manuel Pellegrini’s team had a promising start on Monday against West Bromwich Albion. However, they will play arguably their toughest game of the season on Sunday aganist Jose Mourinho’s side.

Sterling said, “I’m hoping this one will go our way and it’s vital that it does. We’re on our own ground and with it being our first home game of the season, we want to get off on the right foot. I’ve done alright against them in the past and results-wise, I think it’s been pretty even overall so far in the matches I’ve played in. Chelsea are very strong in every department from their defence and midfield to their attack, but it should be a good game and I’m really looking forward to playing in this match.”

Raheem Sterling about Man City vs Chelsea

Sterling promises fighting spirit for Man City vs Chelsea (Photo: Getty Images)

The former Liverpool forward, who cost GBP 49 million, as it was all over in the sports scores news this summer, expects a close battle. Sterling doubts that any team could be able this term to wrap up the league as quickly as Chelsea did last season. He argued, “It’s going to be a really tough season. Everyone has strengthened their squads and the Premier League is always hard to second guess.”

Sterling admitted in the build-up to the Man City vs Chelsea match that he has set some targets for himself ahead of the campaign. However, he doesn’t want to make them public to avoid extra pressure. He said, “The only promise I will make is that I will try my best at all times – I will aim to create and score as many goals as I can for the team and work really hard every week.”

He added, “I’ve set myself targets for goals and assists and I know where I want to be but I don’t really want to reveal what they are because I’ll put myself under massive pressure – but I’ve got personal goals that I want to reach this season for City and hopefully I can meet them.” Sterling is 3.50 (5/2) to score anytime in the Man City vs Chelsea match at Bet365. An unlikely but fabulous Sterling brace is available at 19.00 (18/1).

ESPNFC.com: Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma happy to fill in at left-back

Apart from the suspended Thibaut Courtois, Jose Mourinho has a full squad before the Man City vs Chelsea clash, gambling news report. However, his squad is relatively short on defenders. To cope with the lightning-quick attackers of the Sky Bluese, the Portuguese might have to shuffle his cards a bit. Having only one true full-back, he might need to deploy Kurt Zouma in that position at some stage of the match.

Mourinho is without a natural left back after Brazilian Filipe Luis returned to Atletico Madrid. Hence his first choice number three is Cesar Azpilicueta, originally a right back. On the right side of the defense plays Branislav Ivanovic. The Serb is a natural central defender, but excelled at full-back in the past. However, he might have problems against an extremely rapid forward like Sterling. Therefore experts of gambling facts suggest a possible shake-up in the Blues’ backline before the Man City vs Chelsea match.

Man City vs Chelsea mixed-up Chelsea defense

Mourinho might give Zouma special instructions against Man City (Photo: AP)

Zouma is originally a centre-back. However Mourinho used the Frenchman at right-back and at midfield as well already. In the Community Shield, he appeared as a left-back after replacing Azpilicueta. According to a possible scenario, Mourinho might field the more agile Spaniard on the right to deal with Sterling. So that Zouma could take his place on the left in the weekend’s Man City vs Chelsea game.

Zouma commented the speculations revealing, he doesn’t have a problem with the left back position. He said, “Because I’m right-footed I have never played at left-back. It was different for me positionally so I had to learn quickly and adapt to it. It’s really not a problem because the boss needed me in that position and I have to give everything for the team. We all have to think about the team first of all so I always do that.”

He added, “They were good experiences for me because I played the games and I always want to be on the pitch enjoying myself and helping the team. I’m feeling very well. I had some opportunities to play in preseason and play in some good games. Now the Premier League has started we are just focused on the next game. We are looking forward to it.”

He concluded, “It’s a chance early in the season to show why we are champions. We want to defend our title. The season after a very good season is always hard but we have to show we are ready to try and do it.” Sergio Aguero scoring two-goals against the makeshift, but capable Blues defense in the Man City vs Chelsea clash is available with odds of 6.5 (11/2) at Bet365. A clean sheet from the visitors is priced at 4.00 (3/1).

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