I would take a draw, but hopefully we will beat the fake blues,, I just hope we do not get battered

not sure if anyone has covered this, but it appears that Benjamin Mendy picked up a knee injury over the weekend & there is confusion on the diagnostics of the severity of the injury. 

I'm going into this one optimistic regardless of City's form - they've been up against scrubs

There back 3 is still substandard and their midfield only has one player who has any interest in the defensive side of the game. I think they're a lopsided team and we can exploit them on the counter, but also win the midfield battle (I'll take Baka and Kante vs Fernandinho and Silva any day!)

 

 

1 hour ago, Leonon said:

I'm going into this one optimistic regardless of City's form - they've been up against scrubs

There back 3 is still substandard and their midfield only has one player who has any interest in the defensive side of the game. I think they're a lopsided team and we can exploit them on the counter, but also win the midfield battle (I'll take Baka and Kante vs Fernandinho and Silva any day!)

 

 

Exactly my point.

If we try to outplay them we will play into their hands, I'm hoping for a defensive set up, don't play like we played against Arsenal. A 3 man midfield would be necessary with Hazard & Morata upfront. But I doubt that will happen, no doubt we will see Pedro start the game with Hazard up top with him. 

But that defence is their weakness, Pep Guardiola will always be exposed against the top sides who can counter attack him, we should do exactly that, I don't even care if they win the possession battle at the Bridge, let them have it. 

I saw their game yesterday. In firt-half City have had much of bad, because Chakhtiar have well play, and it's good for us because City have much run and they will be tired against Chelsea it's perfect like that, that will be balanced. 

The game will be massive, but i think that we can win this games and take advantage of weakness from City. 

Think we're going to need to play an Ultra-Defensive style here and hit them on the counter, I'd even take a draw, although I think we have the possibility of winning if we play our cards right.
3511
                      Thibaut
              Azpi Christensen Rudiger
       Moses Bakayoko Cesc Kante Alonso
                        Hazard
                        Morata

I will never take a draw at the Bridge against any team in England except we are playing away.

So Mendy is out for months. Dont know how that'll affect this gaame but any advantage is good for us.

Apart from the dippers at home (red card etc.) they haven't played any other of the big 'ead teams in the division, so their 'amazing' attacking displays could be construed as the classic flat-track bullying. In saying that, their attacking options appear abundant & fruitful, the new goalie an improvement - But Chelsea do have the players to stop them, I don't think them dominating at the Bridge Saturday is a real fear, if Conte can field his best 11 (except for Luiz) then I see a home win or draw being a distinct possibility rather than a leathering by Jesus Aguero & co.

Now citeh should be wary, Chelsea played as well as i've seen for a long time, hope Morata is ok, noticed his foot was wrapped in ice after the match..

If we can finish the week with 3 big wins at stoke, atleti and at against city that will be a big big achievement. We've got a day less recovery and travel compared with city but going in to international break and with confidence sky high I fancy the boys to give it a good try. Will likely be some fresh legs. Christensen will come in but could also see Zappa and/or Rudiger freshening it up. Maybe Willian in for Fab a bit deeper too. Won't be easy but will be a good measure. Win and the league is wide open for us, we've easily had the hardest starting fixtures of top 3 and will be right there. COYB

Another test for us, difficult match but with our last performance, I'm feeling very confident. Conte won't give up on this game as well, winning here would be a huge achievement for us.

I'd like to see us starting with this lineup:

------------------ Courtois --------------

-- Azpilicueta - Christensen - Rudiger --

Moses ----- Bakayoko -- Kante --- Marcos Alonso

---------- Pedro -------------- Hazard ----------

------------------- Morata ---------------------

 

City are looking deadly, but their defence can be raided. Not sure who is going to start as their LB, Danilo or Delph. Should be their weak line, with Hazard and Morata we can enjoy with our attack, plus having Pedro from behind. 

Can't wait for the big battle again, COME ON CHELS!!!!!

I for one really hope we go with 3 in midfield again. I don't think Fabregas was on his game against Atleti so I expect a solid performance from him.

Can't wait for Drinkwater to be back, we could use some cover in midfield.

With Mendy out I can see Conte reverting to a 3-4-3 with Fabregas making way for Pedro

A City backline without Mendy & Kompany appears seriously weak, Walker Otamendi Stones Denilo & Delph will not exactly send shivers down the spine of Morata & Co and anything other than a Chelsea win would be quite a disappointing outcome. I expect a pretty open game with Hazard & Pedro causing unrest amongst the City Defence.

No no no. Has to be 3 in the middle.

I'd play the same formation as against Atleti - I think it's our strongest. And I'd play the same team except Christensen for the suspended Luis, and the extra pace of Rudiger over Cahill.

3 minutes ago, Zeta said:

No no no. Has to be 3 in the middle.

Everyone would prefer 3 in the middle especially after the performance against Athletico but I doubt he will play the same 3 in the middle considering the shift they put last night & in addition all 3 played the full 90 minutes.

I think Conte will start with 3-4-3 and revert to 3-5-2 during the game depending on how things go.

They’re already back in training. Wow

 

2 minutes ago, Drogbaholic said:

They’re already back in training. Wow

 

 

The sprinklers woke them up

4 minutes ago, Imran_CFC said:

Everyone would prefer 3 in the middle especially after the performance against Athletico but I doubt he will play the same 3 in the middle considering the shift they put last night & in addition all 3 played the full 90 minutes.

I think Conte will start with 3-4-3 and revert to 3-5-2 during the game depending on how things go.

I think we should play 3 in the middle especially against the top sides, we struggled last year with a 2 man midfield against them.

I don’t think Fab is up to 3 games in a week. So I’d hook him for Pedro. It’s better with 3 in the middle but have to allow for fatigue. 

Think we need 3 in the middle. I do not think you can understate how much effort it took to beat atletico like that yesterday while city strolled at home.

 

Bad time for this game. Physically will be really hard for us to get a good result.

After our great performance in Madrid last night. I am more confident of us winning this game.

The best tactic here is going to be to attack them hard and put them under pressure.

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

Think we need 3 in the middle. I do not think you can understate how much effort it took to beat atletico like that yesterday while city strolled at home.

 

Bad time for this game. Physically will be really hard for us to get a good result.

Have to agree with you. The flight back to London is only a couple of hours, which is hardly worth worrying about but that was a monumental effort by the team, so there's bound to be a few sore limbs. Plenty of work for the physio's to do. Guardiola teams only know one way to play which is to try to dominate possession and compress the play, plenty of space for Hazard and Morata to run into as long as they have the energy. The match up of Walker with Alonso is a worry pace wise. If this game was a day later, I wouldn't be concerned so much.

while I am excited about the outcome of the win at Atleti, IMHO this is match versus Citeh is the real deal - these guys score goals for fun & in a little amount of time - think about the match vs Palace - yes Citeh won 5-0, but for the first 44 minutes it was 0-0 - once blood is in the water, Citeh starts to get even more dangerous - Chelsea will need a MASSIVE display just to earn a draw IMHO - of course I will be rooting for that outcome - One good thing, CFC will be entering the match full of confidence & swagger - Come on Chelsea - Shock The World!!!