Our prediction for this Premier League match:
All eyes will be on Etihad Stadium when Manchester City and Chelsea face each other in the Premier League derby. A win over Chelsea will see Man City move one step closer to defending their title, but the Citizens should be happy with one point from the match as well. Winger Riyad Mahrez is on international duty with Algeria, meaning that Raheem Sterling is likely to keep his place in the starting XI. Pep Guardiola has no other selection worries ahead of the Premier League derby.
The Blues, on the other hand, need to cope with the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who represents Senegal at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Since both Reece James and Ben Chilwell should miss out with injuries as well, we believe that there is a big value in betting on Kevin De Bruyne and Co.
Highlighted Player (Raheem Sterling):
Raheem Sterling is an English professional footballer plays for Manchester City in the Premier League. The winger who is known for his lightning pace and dribbling ability started his youth career as a five-year-old playing for Alpha and Omega. In 2003, he joined QPR's youth academy and spent seven years with them before signing for Liverpool in 2010.
At Liverpool, Sterling made his professional debut, coming on as a substitute in a league match against Wigan Athletic on the 24th of March, 2012. He went on to make over 120 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, scoring 23 goals and providing 25 assists in the process. In August 2015, Sterling joined Manchester City on a transfer worth 49 million pounds, which made the most expensive English footballer at the time.
Since signing for the Citizens, Sterling has enjoyed a trophy-laden career winning every English domestic trophy available and has molded himself into one of the best players in the league. Sterling, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica, holds both the English and Jamaican citizenship but chose to represent England at the International stage. The 24-year-old has capped at every youth level and won his first cap for the senior team on the 14th of November, 2012. He has since featured 53 times for the Three Lions.
Highlighted Team (Chelsea):
Over the years Chelsea have established themselves as one of the dominant forces in the English Premier League. Roberto Di Matteo helped the team win their first ever Champions League trophy (2011/2012), but it has to be noted that they were more than fortunate to beat Bayern Munich in the title game.
Chelsea have been playing at Stamford Bridge since 1876 and they are a real force to be reckoned with at home. The Blues have won seven FA Cups, five League Cups, two UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups and the UEFA Europa League. Rafael Benitez was in charge of the team that faced Benfica in the 2012/2013 Europa League final, with Branislav Ivanovic scoring the winner for the Blues in the title clash.
After lifting the 2014/2015 Premier League trophy, the Blues largely struggled in the next campaign, which saw Jose Mourinho’s second spell with the club come to an end, and Antoine Conte went over to take the reigns for the 2016/2017 season.