Premier League: City’s Coronation as England’s Finest Awaits

Manchester City vs Chelsea

This is a clash of the billionaires but also a prime example that all that glitters is not gold.

There is no doubt that Manchester City and Chelsea’s history has taken an unrecognisable upward trajectory since they were bought out by billionaires in 2008 and 2003 respectively.

Yet, despite the numerous Premier League triumphs that have since followed, they have never seemed as poles apart as they do right now.

That will likely be evident as they meet for the fourth and final time this season on what should be the afternoon we witness a coronation of England’s top team.

Talking Points

It’s just under two years since Chelsea beat City in the final of the Champions League but the reality is they are now poles apart in their own domestic competition, let alone on the continent.

How can a club be enduring its worst season of the 21st century after investing north of £500 million ($626m) on initial transfer fees over the first two windows of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership?

That question is for greater minds than mine but the fact we are talking about Chelsea so negatively is surprising and, with Mauricio Pochettino reportedly on the verge of being appointed, the task awaiting the former Spurs manager is clear.

The decline is even more marked when you consider that, since the start of last season, Chelsea have won none of their 14 league matches against sides starting the day above them in the table – losing 10, including each of their last three.

Sunday, of course, is not really about them but instead about a team which is primed to enter English folklore.

Victory for City, regardless of other results, will see them crowned champions for the third year in succession, an achievement only Manchester United (twice), Liverpool, Huddersfield and Arsenal have managed in English football history.

And after reaching the Champions League Final with a majestic display which annihilated reigning champions Real Madrid in midweek, this in a tie which was supposed to be one for the ages but ended up being a one-sided blitz, Premier League highlights should duly follow.

If they can hit three at Everton and put four past Madrid, a Chelsea side which has won just one of its last 11 matches, should put up little resistance.

The champions are about to retain their crown.

History

When the sides met three times in the final weeks of 2020/21, Chelsea won the lot.

The impressed with a 1-0 Wembley victory in the FA Cup semi-final, courtesy of a Hakim Ziyech goal.

If that made people sit up and take notice, they then became something of an annoyance to City when they repeated that success weeks later with a last gasp 2-1 league victory which delayed City’s title coronation.

On that occasion, victory was secured through Ziyech and Marcos Alonso after Raheem Sterling had put City ahead.

However, when Chelsea and Kai Havertz made it three out of three in the final of the Champions League, the hurt caused to the blue half of Manchester was immeasurable.

City won both league games 1-0 last season to gain revenge – Gabriel Jesus and Kevin de Bruyne the respective scorers – and now they are on course for four victories over the same side in a single campaign.

Indeed, the last five matches have all been City victories, including three times this term.

In the League Cup in November, two goals in five minutes from Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez sealed a 2-0 home win.

Then, in the New Year, they met twice in the space of four days.

A Mahrez goal settled the league encounter at Stamford Bridge before the Algerian led a home rout in the FA Cup third round.

He netted twice and was joined on the scoresheet by Alvarez and Phil Foden in a 4-0 romp.

They were two very different clubs when they first met back in 1907 in the former Division One.

Billy Brawn and George Hilsdon were the Chelsea scorers on that occasion in a 2-2 draw.

Overall, City have 64 successes compared to 71 Chelsea triumphs and 39 draws.

Betting Tip

A coronation is anticipated with SBOTOP Premier League betting odds which make a mockery of Chelsea as a leading club.

Have they ever been so far adrift in such a big fixture as they are priced 1X2 @ 8.50 or Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 2.12.

City, by contrast, are on offer 1X2 @ 1.26 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.03 and -2.00 @ 2.31.

Even the draw is out @ 5.40 and a repeat of last season’s scoreline – Correct Score 1-0 – will pay out @ 7.00.

I think Chelsea will try and hold out until the break and was tempted by Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 3.75 but even I can’t see that based on current form.

That is why my *** tip is total goal 2-3 @ 2.15 amidst a City victory party.

 

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