Football Betting: Returning De Bruyne to give former side Chelsea the blues
Last year’s top two meet in rather different circumstances on Saturday when Chelsea host Manchester City.
Much has changed at Stamford Bridge since the Blues were crowned Premier League champions 11 months ago.
Now sitting 10th, title-winning manager Jose Mourinho is long gone, as is the form of PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard, and Chelsea’s fortress-like home record.
Before this campaign, the Blues had only been defeated once in their last 26 home league games.
However, this term Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Southampton and Bournemouth have all left west London with three points.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men will travel to the Bridge full of confidence they can become the fifth name on that list.
City lost 5-1 to Chelsea in the FA Cup in February, but not much should be read into that result.
Faced with a congested fixture list, Pellegrini played what was effectively a youth side.
Even Hazard managed to score – one of only two goals he’s notched this term.
That rotation has paid off as City have since won the Capital One Cup and progressed through to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Kevin De Bruyne scored the decisive goal as City beat PSG on Tuesday, and the Belgian has shown an immediate return to form following an injury lay-off.
The ex-Chelsea man will be keen to show his former side what they are missing out on.
As well as being buoyed by European success, City must win to keep hold of fourth position.
Back them at 7/4 with Betway.
Chelsea have nothing left to play for, and showed in their 1-0 reversal to Swansea last weekend that they can’t wait for this horror season to end.
It could be the Blues that field a youth side this time around.
Up against De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, a Chelsea defence bereft of John Terry could be put to the sword.
I advise buying total goals at 2.8 with Sporting Index.
POINTERS
Man City 7/4
(Betway)
Buy total goals 2.8
(Sporting Index)