The Champions League race hots up this weekend as Chelsea host third-placed Manchester City on Sunday.
Chelsea aim to go third, City hope to recover from Europa blow
The UEFA Champions League race hots up this weekend as Chelsea host third-placed Manchester City on Sunday.
A dismal run before Christmas not only saw Chelsea slip out of the title race but also left last season's Double winners facing the unthinkable of failing to finish in the top four altogether.
But while Carlo Ancelotti's men are yet to regain their scintillating early-season form, they have given themselves a chance of salvaging something from the current campaign.
Since losing 1-0 at Wolves on January 5, Chelsea have lost just once in all competitions, progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals while boosting their hopes of securing a place in next season's competition.
Five wins from their last seven games put the Blues back above fifth-placed Tottenham and they trail City by two points with a game in hand.
United draw
Wednesday's 0-0 draw at home to Copenhagen ensured Chelsea made a comfortable passage into the last eight of the Champions League, where they have since been handed a mouth-watering tie with Manchester United in a repeat of the 2008 final.
City's European dream is in tatters, though, as their 1-0 win at home to Dynamo Kiev on Thursday night was not enough to put them into the Europa League quarter-finals.
City also have a huge game with derby rivals United to look forward to - an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley next month.
But Robert Mancini's men have just three days to recover from that hammer blow in Europe if they are to maintain their fine recent record against Chelsea.
After winning only two of their first 24 Premier League games with Chelsea, City have won their last three meetings, claiming a memorable 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge last season.
Carlos Tevez scored the only goal as City ended the defending champions' 100 per cent start to the season back in September and the City skipper has scored six in his last five Premier League games against Chelsea.
Although City have lost just one of their last nine in all competitions, they have looked jaded in recent weeks and must regroup quickly to ensure they stay clear of Tottenham and achieve their minimum target of a top-four finish this season.
Team news
Brazilian defender Alex is set to be back in the Chelsea squad after his long-standing absence with a knee injury.
Yossi Benayoun is close to coming back from the serious Achilles problem that has sidelined him since September but Sunday's game is too soon for his return.
Ancelotti may rotate his side following the midweek game with Copenhagen, potentially bringing Fernando Torres, Michael Essien, Florent Malouda and the ineligible David Luiz back into the starting line-up.
Mario Balotelli is set to be left out by Mancini after his costly red card in midweek.
Balotelli's suspension only applies to European competition but Mancini appears to have lost patience with the controversial striker so Edin Dzeko could start.
Winger Adam Johnson has recovered from his ankle injury sooner than expected and is back in contention having come off the bench in midweek.
Possible starting XIs:
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Droga, Torres.
Man City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, De Jong, Barry, Y Toure, Silva, Dzeko, Tevez.
