LeeDixon

Chelsea are on a roll. Is it that the players just didn't want to play for Andre Villas-Boas and simply didn't perform when he was there? Is it that they're desperate for Roberto Di Matteo to be given the job on a full-time basis? Or is that the likes of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, often left out in the cold when AVB was in charge, just make this a far better team when they're in the starting XI? It's probably a bit of all three but the truth is Chelsea are looking a completely different side to that of a month ago.

People will have plenty to say about player power and the dangers of it but, without actually knowing what went on behind the scenes and in the dressing room, it's hard to guess to what extent it does actually exist at the club. One thing is for sure: the Chelsea squad seem to have taken to Di Matteo and see him as "one of us". Whether that sort of relationship would work in the long-term remains to be seen. After what we saw of John Terry on the touchline on Wednesday, maybe the skipper fancies being the next manager!

If Chelsea are on a high, City are on an season low. For the first time this season they look a little vulnerable, lacking a bit of self-belief. Maybe they need to someone to step up to the plate and inject a new lease of life into matters on the pitch. Could that someone be Carlos Tevez? With Roberto Mancini going on record as saying the Argentinian will be involved, it may well be.

Match Odds

The game is huge for both sides. But if odds-on City win this game they will also have set a new record in the process as Opta tell us: they have won their last 19 Premier League home games and could set the record for the competition's longest ever run of home victories if they win here.

If you want to back the hosts solely on the basis of that record then the stats are on your side. But to do so is to ignore the fact that Chelsea are on the up and City are in a bit of a slump. Momentum is of huge importance in football and it's pretty obvious who is carrying it into this game. And let's not forget that it was Chelsea who defeated City for the first time in the league earlier on in the season. That result will make the visitors believe they have the upper hand here and though a Chelsea win isn't out of the question at all, the smart money is on the draw.


Over/Under 3.5 Goals

Goals. Plenty of them. Because City's defence is looking a little fragile whereas their attack has been potent all season long, at least at home. And it's a similar story for Chelsea, who have struggled to keep clean sheets for much of the season but who are looking more confident in attack. Over 2.5 goals looks a safe bet but I really fancy 2-2 or even 3-3 here so over 3.5 goals is worth a dabble at a much bigger price of 3.2.

To Score

Fernando Torres. Yes, the man who managed to go more than a whole day's worth of playing time without scoring is back. Maybe like many of the others he couldn't adapt to what Villas-Boas wanted him to do. Or maybe he just needed a couple of goals to get his confidence back, regardless of who was in charge. He looked sharp at the weekend and I think he's going to get at least one goal in a big performance.

Bookings odds

Just because it's a huge game that doesn't mean that we're going to have endless bookings in it. I know it's an obvious thing to say but no-one wants suspensions at this stage of the season. Mike Dean is in charge and is a sensible guy who tries to referee the match in an understated way. He averages just under four bookings a match this season and three or four bookings is what I think we'll get here.

2 pts Back the draw @ 3.7
1 pt Back over 3.5 goals @ 3.2
1 pt back Fernando Torres to score @ 4.0
1 pt Back 6-8 points in the bookings odds market @ 4.0

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