Premier League preview: Chelsea v Manchester City

Chelsea take on league leaders Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Monday as the London side try to close the gap at the top.

Despite qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-0 home win over Valencia, Chelsea are yet to convince against the top sides in the English Premier League.

Although they have claimed 3-0 wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United in their past two league matches, Chelsea’s 5-3 and 2-1 home defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool respectively in their last five matches is proof that Andre Villas-Boas high defensive line is porous against top league sides.

With Fernando Torres still low on confidence, Villas-Boas has preferred Daniel Sturridge and Didier Drogba upfront.

Drogba’s return to form after his brace against Valencia means the former Marseille man is likely to start alongside Sturridge, who leads Chelsea’s forwards with seven league goals this season.

Defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu has been preferred over an out-of-sorts John Obi Mikel in Michael Essien’s absence since the Nigerian’s howler against Liverpoool, and is likely to keep his place in front of the defence.

Chelsea, however, will face a determined Manchester City side out to reclaim their pride after crashing out of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Despite earning 10 points in the group phase and winning 2-0 at home over Bayern Munich, City were eliminated from the competition and will now play in the Europa League in the new year.

City are the only undefeated side in the Premier League and have scored 17 goals more than Chelsea and conceded four less.

Sergio Aguero has been unstoppable for City since scoring a brace on debut, and his 11 league goals so far is second in the Premier League, with Edin Dzeko just one behind with 10.

With Mario Balotelli adding seven goals, City are frightfully good in attack.

David Silva has been instrumental in City’s advance this season, with his playmaking skills yielding eight assists and four goals. He will be looking to exploit Chelsea’s high line with his speed.

Yaya Toure has been a force in midfield for Roberto Mancini’s side and looks overmatched for 20-year-old Romeu.

With Micah Richards and Vincent Kompany both having a flying season so far, City will be heavily favoured for the away win.