Chelsea vs. Manchester City: Breaking Down Every Positional Battle in EPL Game

Saturday sees the biggest match of the Premier League season take place. Leaders Chelsea take on Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, and a win for Jose Mourinho's side would move them eight points clear of their main title rivals. City can't afford to lose this one.

It's certainly an intriguing game. City's form has been patchy at best since their comfortable win over West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day, but Chelsea played a gruelling League Cup tie against Liverpool on Tuesday and will be without Diego Costa after it was confirmed his suspension for a stamp in that match has been upheld (via BBC Sport).

The Ivory Coast's 1-0 win over Cameroon on Wednesday in the Africa Cup of Nations means any hopes of Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony being available for City instantly evaporated, but a full week's rest may see the team arrive fresher than their west London counterparts.

Here we take a look at every individual battle across the pitch and look at who has the advantage going into the game.

Courtois vs. Hart

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Rarely has such a remarkable goalkeeping talent emerged. Thibaut Courtois isn’t just the best goalkeeper in English football right now, he’s redefining the role.

The way the Belgian commands his area is like nothing that’s gone before. He comes and collects balls with minimum fuss, plucking everything out the air before there’s a hint of danger for his defenders. It’s a huge part of Chelsea’s game.

His display over two legs in Chelsea’s League Cup semi-final win over Liverpool was the latest example of his ability—he was magnificent in both games.

Joe Hart, on the other hand, is a goalkeeper with some serious deficiencies. While his shot-stopping remains up there with the very best, his ability to claim balls into the box is badly lacking, and his distribution remains a serious concern.

He’s improved hugely over the last 12 months after a poor period saw him dropped last season, but he’s not in Courtois’ class.

Advantage: Chelsea

Ivanovic vs. Zabaleta

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Branislav Ivanovic versus Pablo Zabaleta is certainly one of the most intriguing subplots to this weekend’s game.

It’s obvious to most that these two have been head and shoulders above any other right-backs in the Premier League over the past few seasons. There have been others who have displayed excellent form over a 12-month stint, but none have matched the consistency of these two over a more sustained period.

Zabaleta, though, edges the contest. His attacking instincts, which have continually sharpened over the years, are one of City’s most potent attacking threats, with his inside run into the 18-yard box a regular move leading to chances.

He is also rarely caught out defensively and an all-round leader on and off the field.

Advantage: City

Terry vs. Kompany

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This is arguably the closest contest on this list.

Under normal circumstances, Vincent Kompany would have the edge. At his best, he’s a brilliant, proactive defender capable of dominating forwards and rendering them useless for a full 90 minutes.

However, right now he’s neither fully fit nor in form, and he has looked something of a liability since his recent return from injury.

John Terry, though, is in fine form. He plays his best football under Mourinho, and this season has been no exception. Always in the right place at the right time, he’s one of the bravest defenders England has ever produced.

Advantage: Chelsea

Cahill vs. Mangala

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After his staggering debut during the 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea earlier in the season, Manuel Pellegrini may well recall Eliaquim Mangala for the this one after resting him since the trip to Everton saw him put in a shaky display.

Mangala’s City career so far has been perplexing; he has been brilliant and dominant one minute but nervous and culpable for errors the next. He’s encompassed both the sublime and the ridiculous, and he needs to improve.

Gary Cahill remains a solid defender, a seasoned Premier League performer who has formed an excellent understanding with Terry.

Advantage: Chelsea

Azpilicueta vs. Clichy

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Gael Clichy’s form at the start of this season was appalling, and the way he has turned it around should be admired. He’s gone from a player visibly struggling to one who offers City superb attacking thrust down the left.

Cesar Azpilicueta, on the other hand, is a far better defender, and he rarely, if ever, lets his side down in that regard. He’s a solid performer, and even the arrival of Filipe Luis hasn’t dislodged him from the starting XI.

Advantage: Chelsea

Matic vs. Fernando

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There's only one winner here.

While City's other summer signing from Porto has displayed, at best, patchy form so far this season, Nemanja Matic has arguably been Chelsea's best player.

Fernando looks uncomfortable on the ball and has been liable to an error—caught out too often when in possession. He shows flashes of a great defensive midfielder, but he needs to make improvements in a lot of areas before he can justifiably be considered a good signing.

Matic has been wonderful. He's strong, powerful and deceptively good on the ball, with a range of passing that means he's capable of launching attacks from deep. He's the best out-and-out defensive midfielder in the league.

Advantage: Chelsea

Fabregas vs. Fernandinho

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A direct comparison between Cesc Fabregas and Fernandinho is problematic, given their differing styles, but both will be key to their respective sides on Saturday. 

Fabregas is a doubt after leaving the field against Liverpool on Tuesday as a precaution, and City will be hoping he doesn’t play—he’s Chelsea passing master, their creator-in-chief and the man responsible for setting up so many of their goals.

Fernandinho’s form, up until very recently, has been excellent, with his all-action style central to City’s game, but there have been a couple of worrying displays in the last few games.

Fabregas is one of the best in the world at dictating play from a deep-lying position, and he, perhaps more than any of Chelsea's other new signings, has given them an edge this season.

Advantage: Chelsea

Willian vs. Navas

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Jesus Navas has become a player City fans like to criticise in recent weeks, but there’s little doubt that in away games, in particular, his pace offers his side a constant outlet down the right.

He is, however, a limited player, unlike Willian, who involves himself in all aspects of Chelsea’s attacking play. He will come inside and try to play almost as a No. 10, whereas Navas is exclusively concerned with playing wide on the right.

Both players are wonderful defensively and never let their respective sides down, but given his greater degree of influence, Willian wins this one.

Advantage: Chelsea

Oscar vs. Nasri

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Oscar and Samir Nasri are two of the most technically gifted, creative players in the league, making this another fascinating subplot.

Both have great feet and wonderful vision, and each is absolute vital in terms of his team’s creativity.

Nasri’s strength and ball retention, as well as his tough-tackling nature, which often goes unnoticed, put him slightly ahead.

Advantage: City

Hazard vs. Silva

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Very different players but only one winner: David Silva’s influence on City cannot be matched, even by Chelsea’s Belgian wing wizard.

Very few players have Eden Hazard’s ability to run with the ball at pace and take players on with devastating effect.

But Silva’s vision, passing, movement, intelligence and skill make him the club’s most important player, with his influence on everything they do in an attacking sense clear for all to see. He’s a remarkable player.

Advantage: City

Drogba vs. Aguero

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City have undoubtedly been boosted by the news Costa is suspended, given his position as one of the league’s top strikers, which leaves Didier Drogba as the most likely to lead the line in his absence.

Sergio Aguero remains the most feared striker in the division, even if his recovery from injury has taken some of the sting out of his performances. Drogba, once the Premier League’s finest, is now entering the twilight of his career.

There's little doubt that City's Argentinian superstar is the best around in his position.

Advantage: City