EPL game of the week: Manchester City vs. Chelsea

This week’s top English Premier League matchup features the teams sitting in third and fourth in the table, Manchester City and Chelsea. Both clubs are seeking to gain some ground on Liverpool, but which one will have the edge at the Etihad?

Chelsea at Manchester City, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Manchester City needs Agüero and Sterling to produce

Manchester City is coming off a huge loss to Liverpool, which put the Citizens nine points back of the leaders. They need guys like Sergio Agüero and Raheem Sterling to put in great shifts up top. Their questions this season have always been about the defense, and Pep Guardiola is going to need Kyle Walker, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi to kick it up a notch. The Citizens need this win to keep pace, and they’re going to do it if the defense can be solid and allow the midfielders and strikers to do their thing. They want to open up lanes for Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva to set up the attack and maintain possession. Can they hold it together and be the City team that most expected to dominate this season?

Pulisic is keeping Chelsea in the mix

Chelsea is currently in third place, and it has maintained a great start thanks to the emergence of American phenom Christian Pulisic. He’s worked really well with Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi to create offense and then score some on his own. With four goals in the last two matches, expect him to come back from his injury to be a featured part of the attack.

N’Golo Kanté and Jorginho will be called upon to lead the attack, while Kepa Arrizabalaga will need to have a great game in goal. The keys to the Chelsea midfield are Willian and Mason Mount. If they can get going, that’s great news for the Blues.

Prediction: Manchester City wins 2-1 (+825)

Manchester City is going to be too much for Chelsea in the middle of the match and will strike twice in the span of 15 minutes to make it 2-0. Chelsea will get one back, but it will be too late for an equalizer.

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