Manchester City v Chelsea

FA Cup Semi-final

Etihad Stadium

15-02-2013 @ 17.15

How are the two teams form?

It's only been a week since the two sides met at Etihad Stadium, and Chelsea took all three points against Manchester City. Since then, City played a 0-0 draw against Norwich on Saturday while Chelsea won 3-0 against Newcastle. In fact, Chelsea are now unbeaten in 12 matches, including the last two matches in the FA Cup. 

However, statistically Manchester City has an advantage as they have won 6 out of the last 10 matches between the two sides. 

What are the probable lineups?

Manchester City are without the profiles Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, Javi Garcia and Samir Nasri for the meeting with Chelsea. The opponent from London is struggling with injuries as well, as Tomas Kalas and Marco van Ginkel are out, and John Terry and Fernando Torres are rated doubtful. 

Hart

Zabaleta - Nastasic - Kompany - Clichy

Navas - Touré - Demichelis - Silva

Dzeko - Jovetic

________________________________________-

Eto'o

Hazard - Oscar - Salah

Ramires - Matic

Ivanovic - Terry - Cahill - Azpilicueta

Cech

What to expect from this match?

The two sides often play some very even matches against each other, with only one goal separating them. This match will without a doubt be yet another tight match, where Chelsea will try and copy the success they had a week ago. If the Pensioners manage to keep the strong Manchester City attack away from the big chances as we saw last Monday, they are one big step closer to the final. That said, with City losing points in the Premier League this weekend, they will be eager to perform in the midweek game against Sunderland and continue against Chelsea in the weekend. Despite Chelsea won last Monday, I feel confident City will take a win in the 5th round of the FA Cup.

What are the odds?

Most of the bookmakers have Manchester City as favorites with 6/5 at Boylesport while a Chelsea victory gives 11/4 at BetFred. A draw will give 6/2 at Skybet.

"I aim to get closer to playing for the Superliga squad, and after the summer to fight for a place among the starting eleven. Until then there is nothing else to do than to do my best at every training both with the U19 as well as the Superliga squad  - and play well in our matches during spring," the talent says.

"When you come to a club as Brøndby IF, you play with the best youth players in Denmark, which means there is competition on all positions of the team. You have to perform your best at training to get on the match sheet for every match."

"It's great that they keep an eye on me, no doubt about it, but it is not something I think about, the talent says."

"Since I was a child, I've been dreaming of becoming a professional football player. The first step comes this summer where I will be playing for Brøndby, one of the greatest clubs in Denmark. From there, the next step will be to have a break through and then move to one of the biggest leagues in the world."

"If I could chose myself, I would play for a top club in the Premier League, the Bundesliga or the Premiere Division in Spain", the talent ends the interview.

Laudrup is a part of the past in Swansea, and Garry Monk have taken over for now. However, Swansea are looking for a new manager for the long run; Great Dane Football Blog takes a look on five prospects.

5. Garry Monk

The defender - and now manager - have spent a lifetime in Swansea, and could well keep the job after this season. Especially if he manages to keep the Swans out of the relegation. However, it speaks against Monk that he is/has been a part of the squad as he can get too familiar with the players. Furthermore, he has no managing experience, but, again, if he manages to keep the club in the Premier League he has a good chance of staying as manager.

4. Marcel Desailly

The former Chelsea defender and World Cup and Euro winner has been linked with Swansea after Laudrup's exit. The 45-year old Ghana born French ended his career in Qatar SC in 2006 and have not had any manager jobs so far. Instead, he has been working for several media and charities the last couple of years. Swansea could be a good start of his managing career, but as with Garry Monk, it speaks against the French that he has no managing experience. That said, he has a lot of routine from playing and is rated as one of the legends in football. 

1. Glenn Hoodle

The former England manager was sounded about the job three months ago, but would not be involved as long as Laudrup was the manager. The former Tottenham and Chelsea midfielder and manager is an obvious choice for Swansea, given his knowledge of the Premier League. However, the league has changed since Hoodle was in charge of a PL club. Furthermore, Hoodles style might not match the players in Swansea as the squads is now. 

The transfer window may have closed, but the rumours are still making their way to the papers. Great Dane Football Blog gives you the weekly update.

Manchester City are keen on striking a deal for 17-year-old Birmingham City midfielder Reece Brown (Goal.com) - Probability: Medium

The three Chelsea veterans John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole will have to wait, until April, to find out if they have a future in the club (Daily Stars) - Probability: High

Thomas Vermaelen is a target for Russian side Zenit St Petersburg (Daily Mail) - Probability: Low

Manchester United are considering to make a move for Sporting Lisbon defender William Carvalho (Daily Mail) - Probability: High

According to his father, Tom Ince turned down a return to Liverpool in the January transfer window (The Mirror) - Probability: High

Jose Mourinho is targeting a new striker for the summer with Mario Mandzukic, Diego Costa and Edinson Cavani on his list (The Sun) - Probability: Medium

Mandzukic and Costa are also on Arsenals wishlist along with Edin Dzeko, Jackson Martinez and Lukasz Piszczek for this summer (The Mail) - Probability: Medium

Cheick Tiote could move from Newcastle to Manchester United in a summer transfer (Daily Star) - Probability: Low

Juventus is still interested in Manchester United's Nani (talkSPORT) - Probability: High

Paris Saint-Germain are ready to offer Manchester United £40m for Adnan Januzaj (Daily Star) - Probability: Low

The January transfer window closed late Friday night, and the clubs have bought and sold both profiles and reserves for the last part of the season. Great Dane Football Blog gives you the full overview of the Premier League club's shopping.

Arsenal

Arrival:

Kim Källström from Spartak Moscow  (On loan,£660.000)

Total: £660.000

Departure:

Chuba Akpom to Brentford (On loan)

Anthony Jeffrey to Wycombe (Free transfer)

Nicholas Yennaris to Brentford (N/A)

Benik Afobe to Sheffield Wednesday (On loan)

Emmanuel Frimpong to Barnsley (N/A)

Chu-Young Park to Watford (On loan)

Total: £0

Best signing: Kim Källström - Arsenal's only signing this window came as a surprise for most fans. The Swedish is considered a role as reserve for the midfield, but can go in and contribute with his experience.

Aston Villa

Arrival:

Jack Grealish from Notts (Return from loan)

Edna Stevens from Doncaster (Return from loan)

Shay Given from Middlesbrough (Return from loan)

Grant Holt from Wigan (On loan)

Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea (On loan)

Benjamin Siegrist from Burton (Return from loan)

Total: £0

Departure:

Stephen Ireland to Stoke City (Free transfer)

Jordan Graham to Bradford (On loan)

Nathan Delfouneso to Coventry (On loan)

Michael Drennan to Carlisle (On loan)

Total: £0

Best signing: Ryan Bertrand - Aston Villa decided to make a loan offer for Bertrand, and already after the first match Villa were ready to make the contract permanent. The defender can turn out to be a star player for Aston Villa.

Cardiff City

Arrival:

Ben Nugent from Brentford (Return from loan)

Simon Lappin from Sheffield United (Return from loan)

Kadeem Harris from Brentford (Return from loan)

Adedeji Oshilaja from Newport (Return from loan)

Joe Mason from Bolton (Return from loan)

Magnus Wolff Eikrem from SC Heerenveen (£2.200.000)

Mats Möller Daehli from Molde FK (N/A)

Jo Inge Berget from Molde FK (N/A)

Kenwyne Jones from Stoke City (Free transfer)

Wilfried Zaha from Manchester United (On loan, £1.584.000)

Fábio from Manchester United (N/A)

Cala from Sevilla (£308.000)

Kevin McNaughton from Bolton (Return from loan)

Declan John from Cardiff U21

Total: £4.092.000

Departure:

Rudy Gestede to Blackburn (N/A)

Nicky Maynard to Wigan (On loan)

John Brayford to Sheffield United (On loan)

Peter Odemwingie to Stoke City (Free transfer)

Simon Moore to Bristol (On loan)

Etien Velikonja to Rio Ave FC (On loan)

Andreas Cornelius to Copenhagen (£3.080.000)

Graig Conway to Blackburn (N/A)

Total: £3.080.000

Best signing: Wilfried Zaha - Zaha is far away from playing in Manchester, but from his time in Crystal Palace he proven that he can perform. 

Manchester City v Chelsea

Premier League Round 24

Etihad Stadium

03-02-2014 @ 20.00 UK

How are the two teams form?

Manchester City are 1st in the Premier League with an incredible streak of 12 consecutive wins, before welcoming Chelsea at the Etihad. Chelsea are currently unbeaten in 8 matches placing them 3rd in the table, and can overtake Arsenal, 2nd, with a win.

The last 10 matches between the two sides have ended in 6 Manchester City wins against Chelsea's 3.

What are the probable line ups?

Tomas Kalas, Fernando Torres and Marco van Ginkel are all out with injuries for Chelsea while Manchester City will have to do without Sergio Aguero, Javi Garcia and Samir Nasri.

Hart

Zabaleta - Demichelis - Kompany - Clichy

Navas - Toure - Fernandinho - Silva

Dzeko - Negredo

__________________________________

Eto'o

Hazard - Oscar - Willian

Matic - Ramires

Azpilicueta - Cahill - Terry - Ivanovic

Cech

What to expect from this match?

Manchester City are unstoppable at the moment and are the favorites for the title this season. However, given Chelsea's current form with eight wins in a row, they are not to be underestimated. That said, City just looks that better at the moment, even though they are struggling with injuries. I expect Mourinho to focus on the defends in this match, which the predicted starting line up also suggests. One thing is for sure; Azpilicueta and Ivanovic will have their troubles with Navas and Silva. I expect City to win this match, but not with more than one goal.

What are the odds?

Unibet gives back a 13/14 for a Manchester City win, while a draw gives 11/4 at Totesport. If you have Chelsea as favorites BetVictor offers 15/4 for a win to the Londoners.