Today’s big game sees Manchester City play host to title-holders Chelsea (4pm KO, Live on Sky Sports 1), and the home side look worth a wager at 23/20 with Betfred and Betvictor to come out on top.
City have won only two of their last nine against the London side in the Premier League (D3 L4), and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has won seven and lost just two of the 12 meetings as a coach with Manuel Pellegrini.
However, they looked really good in their opening game when thrashing West Brom away 3-0, whereas Chelsea failed to impress in their 2-2 draw with Swansea.
I have long held the belief that Chelsea aren’t as good as lots of pundits make out, and think that City are capable of dominating this game and forcing their defence into errors.
Pellegrini will also know that getting one over on Mourihno, even at this early stage of the season, could well have a big psychological impact on a manager that is capable os losing the plot.
If Chelsea lose they will have secured just 1 poiunt from a psosible 6 and that will put them on the back foot and playing catch-up.
They will not doubt try and absor pressure and hit City on the break, but how many chances they will get remains.
David Silva and Yaya Toure will be pulling the strings for City, and if the Citizens get an early breakthrough it could be game over as Chelsea will then have to attack and could leave themselves vulnerable at the back.
City are more than capable of turning on the style, and if they can keep Eden Hazard quite – as they have in the past – I think they will secure all 3 points.
Aguero wpuld be the obvious choice in the first goaslcoring market if making the starting XI, but that is a big if at the time of writing so I am going to suggest a small each-way punt on David Silva at a standout 10/1 with Paddy Power.