Chelsea v Man City - Sat 16th April 17:30

[Whitechapel]

TEAM NEWS
Chelsea striker Diego Costa is available after completing his three-match suspension.

Willian, Gary Cahill, Nemanja Matic and Eden Hazard all returned to training this week, but John Terry is not expected back yet from injury.

Vincent Kompany is likely to miss out for Manchester City with a calf problem but he could return on Tuesday.

Raheem Sterling is back in training after a groin injury, although Saturday's match could come too soon.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Chelsea have lost just one of their last 17 meetings with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge (W11, D5).
• They also won 5-1 when the teams met in the FA Cup in February at Stamford Bridge - although City fielded a weakened side.

Chelsea

• Chelsea's defeat by Swansea last weekend ended their 15-match unbeaten run in the league - Guus Hiddink has not lost two league games in a row as a club manager since February 2004 whilst at PSV Eindhoven.
• The Blues have never lost at home in the league during Hiddink's two spells in charge (W6, D7).
• However, they have drawn six of their seven league games at Stamford Bridge during his second spell.
• They have gone nine home matches without a clean sheet in the league - the club's longest ever such run in the Premier League. The last time they conceded in 10 consecutive top-flight home games was between April and November 1970.

Manchester City

• City have won consecutive Premier League games for the first time since October. The last time they won three in a row was at the start of the season when they won their opening five games.
• Manuel Pellegrini's side have lost just one of their last seven Premier League away matches (W3, D3, L1).
• They have conceded just two goals in their last five league matches. Prior to this run they had let in eight in three games.
• Kevin De Bruyne has now had a hand in 27 goals in all competitions for City this season (15 goals, 12 assists) - a joint-high for the club alongside Aguero.

 

[JimJams]

City should start Ineacho and give Aguero a rest. With Chelsea sporting a bit of a makeshift backline they should still have enough to get at least a draw. Even if they lose they have a cushion too so nothing to worry about for City.

 

[Stevencc]

Who'd have predicted a Chelsea vs Manchester City match day thread would have such little activity in it at this stage of the season back in August?

 

[SALTIRE]

Just saw the goal on the half time highlights, good finish from Aguero, but just how good is De Bruyne...

 

[sl1k]

De Bruyne makes that 60 odd million quid look a bargain. Young, immensely talented, big game player.

I know Chelsea have nothing to play for but ffs do us a favour will ya...

Not that I've any hope, I've learned not to do that to myself. But atleast keeps things interesting and that.

 

[Benji]

Chelsea look rubbish, sack the doctor!

 

[Destruction]

AAA.

All about Aguero.

 

[Nilsson]

Chelsea are hopeless but I hope for England's sake that Conte gives Loftus Cheek a chance, certainly looked as though he's got something about him.

 

[Christian Slater]

That's ended our league season. Shouldn't be in a position to rely on others to get results for you though.

Not a single comment from a Chelsea or City fan.

 

[Stevencc]

That's ended our league season. Shouldn't be in a position to rely on others to get results for you though.

Not a single comment from a Chelsea or City fan.

I thought perhaps we had a slim chance of sneaking into 4th at Arsenal's expense. Then I checked Arsenal's fixture list...

They've got Palace, West Brom, Sunderland, Norwich and Villa in their last six games. I know some of them will have the added impetus of avoiding relegation to motivate them but you couldn't ask for a kinder set of games to end the season with.

 

[sl1k]

Not just that Steven, Arsenal are at their most dangerous this stage of the season. When there's fuckal but top four to play for.