With City in action twice today in a mouth-watering double header against Chelsea, what more could you ask for of your weekend entertainment?
The stakes couldn’t be much higher in either game, with both clashes potentially significant for the Premier League and Women’s Super League title races.
READ: Guardiola v Sarri | A fascinating sub-plot...
WATCH: KDB on Chelsea, his return and the title race
Following Liverpool’s triumph over Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola’s men require a win to return to the top of the table, while a victory for Nick Cushing’s side would open up a points gap over second-placed Arsenal. Bring it on!
Our women’s team are in action first, kicking off at 1pm at the Academy Stadium, and needless to say, the fixture is the standout encounter of the league’s official website preview.
The article reads: “Nick Cushing’s side have already beaten the Blues once this week after securing a 2-0 win in the semi-finals of the Continental Tyres Cup on Wednesday.
“Nikita Parris grabbed both goals at Kingsmeadow and will become only the 11th player in WSL history to play at least 100 games in the competition if she features this weekend.
“The 24-year-old has been directly involved in 23 goals during her last 16 league appearances, and her aerial presence is highlighted by the fact that she has scored more headers than any other player this season.
“Chelsea are still in the races for three pieces of silverware this season after their cup defeat but cannot afford to lose any more ground on City with just six league games left.”
Meanwhile, David Silva asserts the Premier League Champions are drawing inspiration from previous title successes, as the Blues look pip Liverpool to the crown.
“I think the next one is always the most important,” the Spaniard declared, as quoted by Four Four Two, amongst others.
“The experience of many years and many games in the Premier League helps you a lot in moments like this because you have experienced it before and you know exactly what can happen.
“Every game is difficult. When the opposing team closes the spaces and defends very well, we must take advantage of the chances we have.
“That’s what happened on Wednesday [against Everton] and we managed to score the two goals.
“You are not always going to win by a big margin. I think as long as we defend well, we are always going to have chances to win the game.
“Since I arrived, we have had this pressure of having to fight for the Premier League trophy until the end. Hopefully, this season we’ll be able to do it again.
“We have a squad full of great players with a lot of quality – a lot of young players and experienced ones too. I think we have a good mix and balance and that is going to be useful.”
The Spaniard is one of several to receive praise from Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, who believes today’s 4pm duel will be determined by success in the midfield battle.
He told Chelsea’s official website: “You know very well that the midfield of Manchester City is one of the best in the world, with Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, David Silva.
“Technically, I think they have the best midfield in Europe at the moment so it will be very difficult to be in control of the match, but I think the match is more than just the strikers.
“I expect Guardiola’s team to always want to be in control of the match and always be in possession of the ball, and they are able to do it so it is a very difficult match.
“We are used to having the ball possession and today it will be very difficult, so maybe we will have to defend lower.”
Finally, Jamie Redknapp singles out Kevin De Bruyne’s return to form as a key factor in the title race.
Writing for his Sky Sports column, the former Liverpool man stated: “City have got players that can change the game at any given second, but probably the most important in the coming months is Kevin De Bruyne.
“He’s so fresh – he’s had a big break – and as long as he keeps injury-free, he could be huge in this run-in.
“You’ve got David Silva and Bernardo Silva, technically so lovely to watch, but De Bruyne has that nasty streak; the pass that can cut open a defence.
“He can score from 25 yards, and he’s different to any other midfielder in these two teams and probably in the Premier League.
“He’s devastating. It’s such a plus to have him firing again.”
