Top Match Tips: Tactical battle expected as Pep's City host Conte's Chelsea

When Pep Guardiola finally landed in England it looked like Manchester City could walk the league. While other teams had strengthened to varying degrees, City looked to go from strength to strength appointing one of the most highly regarded tacticians in modern football. Without much trouble he led his side to 10 straight victories - City looked infallible.  

But whispers of an invincible season went out the window after a six-goal thriller at Celtic Park. City couldn’t buy a win, losing three and drawing three in all competitions. Things got worse after a League Cup exit at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, but City managed to regain some form after that. However, their performances still haven't been quite as convincing as their early season form. Even as recent as last week, despite the result - City were lucky to come away from Turf Moor with all three points. 

Chelsea, on the other hand, made a an unpredictable start to life in terms of results under Antonio Conte. But conceding three to Arsenal in the opening 45 minutes became the impetus for sweeping changes to Chelsea’s system. The highly anticipated back three made its debut in the second half at the Emirates, and Chelsea haven’t looked back. They went more than 600 minutes without conceding a goal in the league after reverting to Conte's favoured system and have won each of their last 7 league games since the loss to Arsenal. 

As dominant as Chelsea looked throughout October and November, City sit just one point behind the Blues in the league. Guardiola will unlikely be as naive as some managers have been when approaching Conte’s back three and a well drilled, pacy attacking line will test a system that depends on Victor Moses to try and keep focus. 

With that in mind, there is certainly money to be made in this fixture courtesy of Bet365. New Bet365 customers recieve a 100% deposit bonus. When you deposit £10 or more you will qualify for a matched amount to bet with, up to £200. Given the excellent markets on offer for this Premier League contest, you stand to win money from the match.

Chelsea are very much the form team at the moment. Their current run of 7 consecutive wins is the joint longest in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season. They have not won 8 consecutive league games in a single season since April 2007, where they won 9 under Jose Mourinho’s watchful eye — including a win away to City. 

However, the Etihad has not always been a happy hunting ground for the Blues. Chelsea have won just 1 of their last 8 games away to City. Chelsea aren’t the only ones who’ve struggled there. City have not lost a match at home in any competition since March - a 1-0 loss to Manchester United. However, each of their last 3 home games have been 1-1 draws. In fact, no team has won a Premier League match in Manchester, including City & United, since the end of September. Both Guardiola and Conte will be keen not to drop points in their title challenge and will likely split the points. You can bet on a draw with Bet365 at 3.50. 

Much has been made about Joe Hart’s exclusion upon Pep Guardiola’s arrival. He wanted a ball playing goalkeeper so that he could play out from the back. But with most new systems, there has been a learning curve for City’s defence. They have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 14 matches in all competitions. Only managing to stop West Brom from getting on the score sheet. Bet on City and Chelsea to both score on Saturday at 1.61 with Bet365. 

As mean as Chelsea’s defence are, one man seems to always get past them - Sergio Agüero. The diminutive forward has scored nine goals in 12 competitive appearances, four of those just last season. He’s also scored five goals in his last four Premier League appearances. You can bet on Agüero to score anytime against Chelsea with Bet365 at 1.90.