Most pundits/media are backing City to win today.

No bad thing for us, takes a bit of the pressure/expectation away.

Chelsea team today: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Diego Costa, Hazard. #CFC

 

Matic injured i guess? Pretty big loss.

Fab in for matic, I'm assuming to get the ball moving forward quicker,  over the top balls from luiz at the back and from fab in mid, conte going for the win *edit no matic on bench must be an injury. Hope fab it strong enough and not too rusty, but of a worry 

Edited December 3, 20169 yr by DonAntonio

No Matic? Fabregas isn't the greatest defensive midfielder but more creative than Matic. Midfield will be where this match is won or lost.

No Matic.

Fabregas starting. There's one very few expected

What can I say about this match up? If anything, we are in form at the present moment. No doubt tough and we don't have a thrilling record at Etihad.

Wow, can't say I expected that.

No Sterling for Man City either!

matic out due to illness

 

f**k this

Big opportunity for fabregas. This game could be make or break for his chelsea future. 

I think with how well we have done recently, and the next 5 fixtures, this is almost a nothing to lose game.

If we win or draw then then we will be in a fantastic position. A defeat would be disappointing but not disastrous as we have a good run of hames to really turn the screw again.

Looking forward to a good game, i fancy us to nick a win in the counter. 

Looks like Man City are going for a back three as well:

-------------------------------Bravo

-----------Otamendi--------Stones-------Kolarov

Navas----------Fernandinho-------Gundogan---------Sane

-------------------de Bruyne-----------Silva

-------------------------------Aguero

 

Matic not in the squad for us at all.

Bench: Begovic, Ivanovic, Aina, Chalobah, Oscar, Willian, Batshuayi

 

 

 

 

 

Dammit Matic big defensive miss huge miss on the positive side Costa, Pedro and Hazard know all they have to do is get on their bike and they know fab will drop the ball on their foot

I assume they worked on this all week with matic out

why is city playing 3-4-3..it is going to be spoiler for us..they could match us man to man

Very big day for Fabregas, will be eager to get one past his former manager too!

A bit less confident now; City going with the most attacking team in footballing history means that Fabregas simply has to put a shift in defensively, but there is a positive that we will create more chances with Fabregas' influence 

Predicting a killer pass from Fabregas to put Costa through and wins us the game! Come on you blues!!

 So matic out then big miss that. Defensively he offers much more than fabregas.

Slightly worried now

That man city team looks awful defensively. Pretty confident now

Just now, Jezq8 said:

 So matic out then big miss that. Defensively he offers much more than fabregas.

Slightly worried now

 

Just now, CFCflynn said:

That man city team looks awful defensively. Pretty confident now

Heh, I found this to be a hilarious juxtaposition.

With Matic out and how weak that City defence looks, this may be a case of attack is the best form of defence! Just try and out-score them... 

Only Way to do this , is to bully City in attacking mode rather than waiting for city possession and then chasing the ball endlessly.

Kante must cover Alonso by dropping to the left flank.

Edited December 3, 20169 yr by ChelsaePirate

Oh f**k!!!!