Manchester City are really beginning to make their presence felt in the Premier League title race and the reigning champions will aim to keep up their relentless gallop when welcoming Chelsea to the Etihad on Saturday evening (17:30).
City also took a significant step towards the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night with a 3-1 win in Copenhagen - their 11th consecutive victory in all competitions - and Pep Guardiola's men will fancy their chances of continuing that run against the inconsistent Blues.
- Manchester City to win & both teams to score
- Phil Foden to score at anytime
- Conor Gallagher to be shown a card
Hosts Should Edge High-Scoring Contest
Manchester City let a lead slip on three occasions in a thrilling 4-4 draw between these teams at Stamford Bridge in November but Pep Guardiola's men have since found their form and should make no mistake in the reverse fixture.
The Citizens have been almost unbeatable at the Etihad throughout the Guardiola era and that has been the case in the Premier League this term as they've chalked up eight wins and three draws from 11 home matches, including wins over Sheffield United, Burnley and Everton in their last three.
A meeting with Chelsea is a step up but the Blues remain unpredictable and Mauricio Pochettino is struggling to get a consistent tune out of his expensively assembled squad.
Back-to-back victories over Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have improved morale in west London but Chelsea found themselves totally outclassed by Liverpool in January's 4-1 defeat at Anfield and that could again be the case when they travel to Manchester.
For all their dominance in recent weeks, the Citizens have not been watertight in defence, conceding in three of their last four matches, and Chelsea do at least appear to possess the firepower to get on the scoresheet.
MAN CITY TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
In-form Foden To Make His Mark
Erling Haaland stole the show with a second-half double in the Citizens' home win over Everton last Saturday but Phil Foden could prove better value in the anytime goalscorer market.
Foden is on track for the most prolific season of his career in front of goal, scoring 14 times in 33 games in all competitions, and he's been particularly impressive in recent weeks, scoring a hat-trick against Brentford and putting the icing on the cake in Denmark in midweek.
The England winger is undroppable at present, and while Haaland remains City's primary goal threat, his presence should also serve to open up more space for Foden to profit.
Indiscipline Could See Gallagher Punished
Conor Gallagher was Chelsea's hero at Selhurst Park on Monday night as the midfielder struck twice to help the Blues seal a 3-1 victory over Palace.
However, City will provide a bigger test of his defensive capabilities and he could fill the villain role this time around by being shown a card at the Etihad.
Gallagher hasn't been booked in any of his last five Premier League appearances but he's committed comfortably the most fouls of any top-flight player this term - his 52 infringements are 14 more than second-placed Ryan Yates - and he could struggle to get to grips with City's stellar midfield.
CONOR GALLAGHER TO BE SHOWN A CARD
