Top of the Table Classic in Store as Chelsea Host Man City on Saturday

It’s a busy time for Premier League games with a full complement of fixtures taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings this week, followed by another full matchday of games from Saturday through to Monday evening.

Later tonight at Old Trafford, Manchester United face Arsenal in what will undeniably be the biggest game of the night and what should be a cracking game between two of the Premier League’s most fierce rivals.

However, the match on Stamford Bridge on Saturday is an even bigger contest as Chelsea welcome Manchester City onto their home patch for what could well be the sternest test that Manchester City have faced this season.

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Before we take a look at Saturday’s big game, let’s preview all the games taking place across the weekend with the odds provided by bet365 Sport

Premier League Fixtures

Matchday 16

*Odds Correct as of 3pm on Tuesday 4^th December 2018

Our Tips for Saturday’s nine other Premier League games

Outlined below are our tips for the nine other matches taking place in the Premier League across the weekend apart from the Chelsea v Man City clash. We have put them together in a special nine-fold accumulator bet.

• Bournemouth v Liverpool – Away Win – 4/6
• Arsenal v Huddersfield – Home Win – 1/4
• Burnley v Brighton – Draw – 2/1
• Cardiff v Southampton – Home Win – 17/10
• Man Utd v Fulham – Home Win – 2/7
• West Ham v Crystal Palace – Draw – 23/10
• Leicester v Tottenham – Away Win – Evens
• Newcastle v Wolves – Home Win – 17/10
• Everton v Watford – Home Win – 3/4

A nine-fold accumulator on these selections would return at the stated odds at 675.6/1 which means a £10 bet would land potential winnings of £6,756.

Of course, hitting accumulator bets is never easy, so you may wish to enjoy a potentially safer couple of bets on the big game in London at the weekend, so here’s our preview and tips of the massive Chelsea v Manchester City clash.

Chelsea v Manchester City Preview

Coming into this game, Chelsea fans and players must feel that if they are to stand any chance of catching Manchester City in the Premier League this season, then this is a must-win game for the home side.

City have been looking so strong against almost all opponents in this division that it is hard to see them dropping too many more points, unless the wheels come off the bus in spectacular fashion, so these crucial games for Chelsea against the top sides at home need to see the team picking up maximum points.

However, that is a huge task against this City team who are as strong defensively as they are fluid in attack. Given that attacking propensity, City have been sweeping away almost every opponent this season, although the way Lyon gave City problems in the Champions League may give Chelsea hope that they can do likewise on home soil.

With Liverpool chasing down City and Chelsea the nearest challengers to the Reds, this is a crucial game for Liverpool as much as these two teams. The Reds would dearly love a Chelsea victory here, but what are the chances of that happening?

Let’s take a closer look at the two teams we expect to start Saturday evening’s game.

Probable Chelsea XI – (4-3-3) – Kepa, Azpilicueta, Alonso, Luiz, Rudiger, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Willian, Hazard, Giroud

Mauricio Sarri has a number of selection issues in front of him ahead of this game. While the majority of his team picks itself, particularly in defence, there is the issue of whether he will go with the more defensive minded Kovacic in midfield, or perhaps Ross Barkley (if the ex-Everton man is fit). Personally, I feel Kovacic is more likely to partner Jorginho and Kante.

There’s also the question mark of who leads the line and while Morata may be pacier, I feel Giroud’s experience and ability to hold up the ball, as much as his danger in the air and in the box, could see the Frenchman get the nod over the Spaniard.

Probable Man City XI – (4-3-3) – Ederson, Walker, Mendy, Stones, Laporte, Fernandinho, Silva.D, Silva.B, Sane, Sterling, Aguero

Pep Guardiola’s team selection looks pretty straightforward with his back line likely to be unchanged as this seems to be the five players that he has settled on for his most important games. Fernandinho rather than Gundogan will likely anchor midfield, where I expect David Silva to start. Bernardo Silva could start alongside him, but if De Bruyne is fit, or Gundogan is required to play a more defensive outlook, then either of those two could start the game.

Sane and Sterling’s form make them likely starters, with Mahrez possibly missing out and Aguero’s injury could well see De Jesus picked ahead of him if the Argentinean does not recover.

Chelsea v Man City Betting Tips

Full Time Result – Manchester City to win  – 4/5

Although Chelsea have been one of the star performers in the Premier League this season, I just cannot see a way that they can defeat Manchester City. On home soil, Chelsea would be favourites against any other team in the Premier League, but City are playing at such a high level and with such consistency, that they look capable of beating any team home or away. I am sure Chelsea will give the visitors a real test but even so, I still feel Manchester City’s qualities will ensure that they grab a vital three points here.

Correct Score – Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City – 10/1

What is often being overlooked in the Premier League this season with Manchester City is just how good they have been defensively. They have conceded the fewest number of goals, bar Liverpool, in the Premier League heading into this double-header week of Premier League games and it is that defensive solidity allied to their phenomenal attacking talent that sees them where they are in the table. Chelsea showed against Spurs that they are susceptible when pressured and I feel City are one of the few teams equipped to do this well on Chelsea’s home soil. If they can, then I think a 2-0 City win is not out of the question and would offer a very nice return.