JOE reckons the winners of the 2014/2015 Premier League will be playing at Stamford Bridge today.
Whether that’s José Mourinho’s Chelsea or Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City remains to be seen.
Both sides arrive at the bridge missing key men.
Chelsea are without petulant goal-getter Diego Costa due to suspension, while injuries have ruled out both Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis.
City are missing Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony as they are both on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations.
Toure’s absence is likely to see Chelsea legend Frank Lampard step into the void. His reception, particularly if he scores again, will make for an interesting side story.
However, our money is not on Lampard to get the first goal. When Mourinho’s team play other big sides, they often set out with not losing, rather than winning, as the priority.
This conservative attitude could play right into City hands, particularly with David Silva pulling the strings in midfield.
With Sergio Aguero suffering a mini-drought at present, we expect the dimunitive Spaniard to do it all himself and get the opener.
City have scored in every single away Premier League game this season, so we’d be a fool to back against them continuing this trend. But we do think it will be tight, with not too many chances.
Our prediction is a 0-1 Manchester City win with David Silva getting the only goal. This is priced at 60/1.
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