Man City v Chelsea, eh? One lot whose billionaire owner bought them a place among Europe’s elite against another who did the same – but even better! This is the romance of the Premier League.
With two plastic clubs lining up against each other this weekend, it only seems right that we get their virtual counterparts to face-off in a FIFA Predicts clash overseen by digital football aficionado and Youtuber extraordinaire Mark Goldbridge.
This year they’ve chosen not to buy success at Stamford Bridge. Or rather, FIFA (the Swiss swindlers, not the game) made that decision for them with a transfer ban for dodgy dealings at youth level.
This hurdle has allowed Frank’s Foals to emerge from the jelly sack of Chelsea’s vast youth network to stand on their own rickety, wobbly, clippity-cloppity feet. It’s not going too badly either, as they sit third in the table and have won all six of their last Premier League matches.
At City, there’s a more ominous mood, as injuries, Champions League priorities, and Pep’s possible plans beyond the Sky Blues’ horizon have seen the thoroughbred champions snag a few fences in the early going. They lie fourth after losing last time out to league leaders Liverpool and are nine points off the Reds’ title-chasing pace.
Mark pulled on Chelsea’s blue silks for this – can the bucking broncos from West London fend off of Guardiola’s stuttering steeds on Saturday? And is that really Scott Brown behind the Chelsea bench? Let’s take a look…
Think that’s a no to both.
Match Odds: Man City 2/5 | Draw 7/2 | Chelsea 11/2