Chelsea (H) - Sat 17th Feb, 17:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Tevez City]

3 points & Kevin Hatrick please

I am captaining him in the FPL

 

[Alvin-blue-qhd]

come on xiti !!!

 

[vincent]

Couldn’t you take them somewhere nicer pal?

But for many that’s the attraction to Mary’ds.

 

[MCFC Wirral]

3 p.m. all over the country. All four divisions. Long, long time since we've seen that. I used to love it. A few clubs used to play on a Friday night, i.e. County, so as to get someone in the ground, rather than everyone being at Maine Road or Old Trafford.

That was quite common at Tranmere too. Everton mainly as you know who aren’t well liked.

We have enough to beat Chelsea tomorrow although they are picking themselves up a little.

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

Alvarez will be back in for this I reckon.

He definitely needed a break that's for sure. Not sure if one game is enough though tbh. Hasn't he started every game up to now ? He's looked absolutely shattered and off it in his last few games. Maybe he's been carrying a knock-?. We need him back firing on all cylinders again because he is a match winner.

 

[Bluewars]

Alvarez will be back in for this I reckon.

To play where?? I've seen midfield masterclasses from Kdb, Phil and Bernardo this season none from Alvarez, if he's not playing up front then it's bench or 'get ready to learn wing play buddy'

 

[Tourist since 1971]

Voted win for this. Usually vote draw vs 'big' teams due to natural pessimism. Saw the stats and couldn't believe win ratio was so high - looks a bit like if we were playing Derby at home in the cup. We should beat them, but if they get their shit together and Cole has a good game it might be an uncomfortable afternoon.
4-1 to us.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Alvarez will be back in for this I reckon.

I hope not although Grealish's injury might mean he comes back in and Phil moves wide left. I wouldn't.

 

[eastmanc]

Kick off time 17:30 (GMT). Live on Sky Sports.

Not asking for much but I'll settle for us scoring 5 or 6 without conceding similar this time.

It looks like they might be turning a corner with back-to-back wins but they weren't convincing against Palace. Can't be brought down to their level again like we were at Stamford Bridge.

I'd like us to put the same XI out that started against Copenhagen but Grealish will more than likely be out, so bring in Doku or Alvarez.

Liverpool are away at midday before us and Arsenal are away to Burnley at 3pm, so we'll know if they've helped us out before this kicks off.

We defended poorly at Stamford Bridge.

 

[eastmanc]

To play where?? I've seen midfield masterclasses from Kdb, Phil and Bernardo this season none from Alvarez, if he's not playing up front then it's bench or 'get ready to learn wing play buddy'

He's had a really great season up to now but he isn't a midfielder and not as effective as a number 10 as either Kev or Phil. So if he not playing up front he's on the bench for me.

 

[mancboy]

He's had a really great season up to now but he isn't a midfielder and not as effective as a number 10 as either Kev or Phil. So if he not playing up front he's on the bench for me.

he could defo do a job on either flank so if bernardo isnt fit and we move phil inside, he could play out there but more likely phil stays there to drift in and we do a mf of rodri, kev and kova

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

We defended poorly at Stamford Bridge.

We're still kind of doing it (see Copenhagen's goal the other night). Not to the same extent, for sure. That's why I think Chelsea will get one. But our firepower both up front and from midfield is ferocious. I think 4-1 is definitely possible.

 

[Vialli98]

Hope so but routine has not always been the case this season!

Chelsea at the Etihad is nothing but a routine win for City these days. Pretty sure it’s been a loss every single time since 2017 for us apart from that one time in 2021 where you had practically already won the title.

 

[Ric]

Gvardiol and Grealish definitely out. Kovacic and Gomez available, Bernardo to be assessed in training.

 

[eastmanc]

We're still kind of doing it (see Copenhagen's goal the other night). Not to the same extent, for sure. That's why I think Chelsea will get one. But our firepower both up front and from midfield is ferocious. I think 4-1 is definitely possible.

The back four the other night is probably our best.

 

[eastmanc]

he could defo do a job on either flank so if bernardo isnt fit and we move phil inside, he could play out there but more likely phil stays there to drift in and we do a mf of rodri, kev and kova

I think its a bit too soon for Kova.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

The back four the other night is probably our best.

Agreed. Although Rúben, who I rate so highly, is not quite so imperious this season. But I still think Rúben with Johnny is a pairing made in heaven. And Aké is a better left back than Gvardiol, for the time being.
What you can't legislate for is our keeper getting bored…

 

[richards30]

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Dias
Ake
Rodri
De Bruyne
Foden
Bernardo
Doku
Haaland

 

[jamesha]

Anyone having a bet on Palmer scoring? Seems inevitable but think we will win 2-1 with a nervy finish.

 

[kaz7]

So long as we control the game and dont give them an inch we should win it but get lax and it will be another basketball match