Preview: Manchester City - Chelsea

EPL: Didier Drogba, Arsenal - Chelsea (Getty Images)

Kickoff: Saturday 5 December, 17:30 GMT
City of Manchester Stadium, Eastlands, Manchester

Manchester City's 11-game unbeaten run sounds hugely impressive on the surface; no defeats since a loss to Manchester United in a closely contested 4-3 loss back in September suggests progress at Eastlands, but the reality is slightly different.

League Cup victories over a youthful Arsenal team, Fulham and Scunthorpe aside, Mark Hughes' men have only recorded one win during that run. Hard to beat maybe, but relinquishing leads to Fulham, Burnley, Liverpool and Hull City is hardly the form of pretenders to the throne.

Hughes must be aware of the importance of transforming some of those draws into wins, and soon, as the halfway point in the season rapidly approaches. Beat Chelsea and the gap will shrink, while many a pundit may begin to sing the praises of the blue side of Manchester as if it were August all over again.

Roman Abramovich meanwhile has seen an influx of foreign investors since he spearheaded the revolution of vast riches in June 2003, but none have quite matched his financial muscle like City's investors. For the first time on Saturday, the world will finally see if Sheikh Mansour's billions can overthrow the Roman Empire.

It is an empire that remains incomplete of course, as the Champions League continues to elude Abramovich, but the Premier League could well be returning to Stamford Bridge come May, especially given the strong start made under Carlo Ancelotti.

Chelsea have after all set the pace in the league thus far and show little signs of letting up, having beaten all challengers – reigning champions Manchester United included. City, although 12 points adrift of the Blues, represent another club looking to dislodge them; overcoming the wealth of talent at Hughes' disposal will deliver a further statement of intent.

FORM GUIDE

Manchester City

Man City 3-0 Arsenal (League Cup)
Man City 1-1 Hull City (Premier League)
Liverpool 2-2 Manc City (Premier League)
Man City 3-3 Burnley (Premier League)
Birmingham 0-0 Man City (Premier League)

Chelsea

Blackburn 3– 3 Chelsea – Blackburn won 4-3 on penalties (League Cup)
Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea (Premier League)
FC Porto 0-1 Chelsea (Champions League)
Chelsea 4-0 Wolves (Premier League)
Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Manchester City

Martin Petrov is in line for a possible return to injury, while Shaun Wright-Phillips could be forced to miss the game against his former club after picking up an ankle problem against Arsenal in midweek. Fit again Brazilian Robinho may force his way into the starting XI, though he would need to dislodge Craig Bellamy, who is City's joint top goal scorer in the league.

Possible Starting XI: Given; Richards, Toure, Lescott, Bridge; De Jong, Barry, Ireland; Tevez, Adebayor, Robinho.

Chelsea

Branislav Ivanovic is likely to continue to deputise in place of Jose Bosingwa, who is still unavailable. Alex completes the missing defensive pairing, with Ivorian Salomon Kalou the only other first team squad member out after pulling up with a thigh strain against Blackburn.

Possible Starting XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Ashley Cole; Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Joe Cole; Anelka, Drogba.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester City

For all the millions of pounds City spent this summer, one of their most consistent performers remains Stephen Ireland. The Irishman was forced out of action earlier this season through injury, but is back to full fitness and working from box to box through the centre of midfield and could be central to any success City are to have against Chelsea.

Chelsea

Leading the goal scoring charts this season, Didier Drogba has been as pivotal to Chelsea's success as ever and his performances continue to go from strength to strength. With 11 strikes of his own and a fruitful partnership with Nicolas Anelka in full swing, Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott are in for one of their busier afternoons this season.

PREDICTION

Handshakes all-round as Chelsea edge past Manchester City, becoming the first team to beat Hughes' side at Eastlands this season.

Manchester City 1-2 Chelsea