Man City vs Chelsea: Blues face biggest test yet under Conte.
Chelsea's late year burst of form faces its biggest test so far on Saturday when they take on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.The Blues have been in scintillating form in recent weeks under new manager Antonio Conte,winning their last seven league games,their best run since 2010 which includes a 2-1 win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
City's defeat at Spurs revealed Guardiola's side remained a work in progress and while they have won their three subsequent away games,they have drawn their last three home matches.While Chelsea have been flying ever since Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation in the 3-0defeat at Arsenal on September 24.
Saturday’s lunchtime encounter has been billed as a shootout between City striker Sergio Aguero and Chelsea’s snarling talisman Diego Costa, who top the Premier League scoring charts with 10 goals apiece.
But while both teams are dependent – if not over-dependent – on a single, prolific goal-getter and have coaches who prize high pressing and relentless industry, they are worlds apart in other aspects.
Conte has picked the same team for Chelsea’s last six fixtures, whereas Guardiola has been obliged to chop and change both in terms of tactics and personnel.
No manager has made fewer changes to his starting XI than the seven made by Conte. No manager has made more changes than the 40 made by Guardiola.
It is the legacy of City’s involvement in the Champions League, as emphasised last week when they won 2-1 at Burnley having played at Borussia Moenchengladbach in midweek.
Guardiola’s need to keep his squad fresh led to a shock recall for the previously sidelined Yaya Toure, who has started City’s last two league games.
But with City already assured of a Champions League last 16 place ahead of Celtic’s visit on Tuesday, and unable to pip Barcelona to top spot in Group C, Guardiola can align his strongest available team.
“This Chelsea side play one time a week. It is easier to prepare well, to recover well, to take full advantage of recovery,” said Toure earlier this week.
“Sometimes it is tough to be focused again. You have to be mentally and physically prepared to compete.”
The flux in the City first XI partly explains why they have recorded just two clean sheets in 16 league games, although an unsteady adjustment to Guardiola’s possession-based philosophy is also a factor.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have looked rock solid and went 600 minutes without conceding a goal before Christian Eriksen’s blistering shot put Spurs ahead at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Guardiola is monitoring the fitness of England winger Raheem Sterling, who was forced off before the hour at Burnley after sustaining a knock.
City have had a full week to prepare for the fixture and John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are among the players who could return to the first team.
Captain John Terry remains sidelined for Chelsea due to a buttock problem, while John Mikel Obi is doubtful with a muscular injury.
Conte who aware of the pedigree of Guardiola's team will be looking to end the former Barcelona manager's unbeaten run at the Etihad.
But with City already assured of a Champions League last 16 place ahead of Celtic’s visit on Tuesday, and unable to pip Barcelona to top spot in Group C, Guardiola can align his strongest available team.
“This Chelsea side play one time a week. It is easier to prepare well, to recover well, to take full advantage of recovery,” said Toure earlier this week.
“Sometimes it is tough to be focused again. You have to be mentally and physically prepared to compete.”
The flux in the City first XI partly explains why they have recorded just two clean sheets in 16 league games, although an unsteady adjustment to Guardiola’s possession-based philosophy is also a factor.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have looked rock solid and went 600 minutes without conceding a goal before Christian Eriksen’s blistering shot put Spurs ahead at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Guardiola is monitoring the fitness of England winger Raheem Sterling, who was forced off before the hour at Burnley after sustaining a knock.
City have had a full week to prepare for the fixture and John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are among the players who could return to the first team.
Captain John Terry remains sidelined for Chelsea due to a buttock problem, while John Mikel Obi is doubtful with a muscular injury.
Conte who aware of the pedigree of Guardiola's team will be looking to end the former Barcelona manager's unbeaten run at the Etihad.
Guardiola vs Conte.who do you think will overcome the other?
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