We would look at 5 ways the result of the match would be decided.
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| KdB and Kovacic fights for the ball |
A tale of two false nines
Both teams have been playing with an out and out centre forward in their recent matches. Summer signing Havertz has been the false nine for Chelsea in recent weeks and he'll hope to reprise the performance at Crystal Palace last weekend where he ended up with a goal and assist.
Manchester City's strikerless system is a bit different to Chelsea's. There's no specific false nine here, with KdB, Foden, Gundogan, Mahrez, Sterling all taking turns at occupying the 6 yard box and the central defenders.
The defenders on both sides would have to alert through out the match. Due to how both teams play, the defenders would not know who to mark and might be taken by surprise.
Well, since both teams have adopted a false nine approach, where will most of the ball be played in?
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| City players celebrate |
Watch out for the midfield battle
Since the appointment of Tuchel, the only match where Chelsea have had less possession than the opponent is in the previous match against Porto where they defended a 2-0 first leg advantage. They have played top tier opposition in that run and still hog possession of the ball.
The quality Manchester City have on the ball is well known in the football world. Pep Guardiola will play his style of football no matter the situation while Tuchel is the more reactive coach, it does not mean Chelsea will just sit back and invite pressure(though it might happen).
The match up in the middle of the pitch is something that should fascinate the neutral and fans of both teams alike.
The middle area is surely going to be a congested area and Chelsea would need the press resistance abilities of Kovacic though I suspect Tuchel will pick the control of Jorginho alongside the stamina of Kante.
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| Kante in action |
Will Werner get in behind Cancelo?
The German forward did not start the on Tuesday in the match against Porto as in-form Pulisic was preferred over him.
Cancelo's attacking talents have been on display this season in his role as an inverted wingback. Should he be picked for this match, his defensive qualities would be tested severely by the runs of Werner or the dribbling ability of Pulisic as the case maybe. This matchup on the left side of Chelsea's attack may just be the key to halting City's quadruple hopes.
KdB unlocking Chelsea miserly defence
The Belgian playmaker operates predominantly in the right area of Man City's midfield, specifically in those half spaces. This is the part of the pitch that Rudiger is going to be manning and the German international defender will need all the help he can get from his midfield players and from Chilwell to stop arguably the best player in the EPL.
Kevin de Bruyne in tandem with Mahrez and the attacking Cancelo, the right side of Man City's attack is dripping with quality and it may just be at the expense of consecutive FA cup finals for the team from London.
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| Kevin de Bruyne |
Expect a low scoring match
Since the 5-2 shellacking at the hands of Leicester City earlier in the season, Pep has reverted to control mode and the results have been evident for all to see. Manchester City and clean sheets have been quite synonymous since then.
The same thing can be days for Thomas Tuchel, he has made Chelsea more tight at the back even though it has come at the expense of the attack, Chelsea fans still see it as a welcome development and have hopes that with time, the attack will click.
Both teams are certainly going to be cautious and pragmatic in their approach in this game and should rightly avoid starting the game with all guns blazing.
Chelsea even when attacking like to play with 5 men behind the ball due to being wary of counter attacks while the combination of fullbacks Pep goes for will show how much attacking intent he has in store for the match.
With both sides in the hunt for the UCL trophy also, this is a genuine opportunity for both coaches to write their names into folklore. There is also the little matter of the rivalry of fans concerning their academy products, Mount and Foden.
Who will come out on top?
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