Chelsea vs Manchester City: 5 key battles to watch out for | Premier League 2020-21

The Premier League features the first clash between England's proverbial big six this weekend as Manchester City take on Frank Lampard's Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Both teams have experienced their fair share of ups and downs this season and will want to win this match.

Chelsea are currently in fifth place in the Premier League standings and their shocking slump in recent weeks has put immense pressure on Frank Lampard. The Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa earlier this week and have plenty of work to do to turn their season around.

Chelsea and Manchester City have endured mixed Premier League campaigns so far

Manchester City have also had their problems this season but seem to have improved towards the end of 2020. The Cityzens do have two games in hand going into the new year and need to keep up with their title rivals in the coming months.

The two Premier League giants have fought intriguing battles in the past, with Chelsea famously crushing Manchester City's title hopes last season. Both teams have an array of exceptional players who will want to win their battles on the pitch to ensure a favourable outcome.

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#5 Christian Pulisic vs Joao Cancelo

Christian Pulisic is an excellent talent

Christian Pulisic is arguably one of the most talented players in Frank Lampard's Chelsea side but has had his fair share of misfortune in the Premier League. Pulisic has suffered several injuries over the past two years but is a breathtaking asset in his prime on the pitch.

The American youngster is set to start in his favoured left-wing role against Manchester City and will be up against Joao Cancelo. The Portuguese full-back has been a revelation this season and is one of the first names on Pep Guardiola's team sheet.

Joao Cancelo has grown into an impressive full-back over the past year and his propensity to burst into the final third has yielded positive results for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. With Christian Pulisic waiting in the wings, however, Manchester City's Cancelo will have to be wary of Chelsea's counter-attacks this weekend.

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#4 Riyad Mahrez vs Ben Chilwell

Mahrez will be up against Chilwell this weekend

Riyad Mahrez has been a bright spark for Manchester City this season and his dribbling prowess on the right flank plays a pivotal role in unlocking the Premier League's stubborn defences. The Algerian winger can be virtually unplayable on his day and will need to take it up a notch against Chelsea.

Mahrez will be up against his former Leicester City teammate Ben Chilwell this Sunday. Chilwell has arguably been one of the few successful signings for Chelsea this season and has enjoyed a fruitful campaign under Frank Lampard.

Like most other modern full-backs, Ben Chilwell enjoys marching into the opposing half but will have to be wary with Manchester City's enigmatic Riyad Mahrez on the pitch. Chelsea need a victory at the moment and will want to use their full-back as a potential source of attacking output this weekend.

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#3 Olivier Giroud vs John Stones

Everton v Chelsea - Premier League

Chelsea's exploits in the transfer market last year outshone Manchester City and the rest of the Premier League elite but are yet to yield concrete results. The Blues are yet to get the best out of the German duo of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz and might opt to stick with the old guard against a powerful Manchester City outfit.

Giroud has already scored nine goals for Chelsea this season and his presence in the penalty area has arguably been more effective than Timo Werner's link-up play. The French hitman is likely to get the nod against Manchester City and will have to get the better of a resurgent John Stones.

The English centre-back has usurped Aymeric Laporte in Pep Guardiola's Manchester City line-up and has been impressive alongside Ruben Dias in the Premier League. John Stones will have to deal with Giroud's imposing frame in the penalty area and cannot afford to slip up in this match.

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#2 Sergio Aguero vs Thiago Silva

Sergio Aguero is back for Manchester City

Sergio Aguero is a modern-day legend at Manchester City and is a favourite at the Etihad Stadium. The Argentine striker has inspired several memorable moments over the past decade in the Premier League and will be called upon to deliver yet another special performance against Chelsea this weekend.

With Gabriel Jesus recuperating from the coronavirus, the onus will be on Sergio Aguero to overcome his injury struggles and deliver against Chelsea. The Blues rested veteran defender Thiago Silva during the week and will want the former PSG star to nullify his South American counterpart at Stamford Bridge.

Thiago Silva brings plenty of European experience to the fore and has a positive impact on Chelsea's defensive stability this season. With Sergio Aguero looking to regain his scoring touch for Manchester City, however, the Brazilian defender will have to be at his best.

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#1 Kevin De Bruyne vs N'golo Kante

De Bruyne will have to get the better of N'golo Kante

Kevin De Bruyne is widely regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League at the moment. The Belgian midfielder has not been at his productive best this season, however, and will want to impress against a talented Chelsea outfit.

De Bruyne knows how to pick his moments and will serve as Manchester City's chief attacking threat going into this match. The prodigious midfielder is known for his surging runs through the midfield and will have to get past the indomitable N'golo Kante to dismantle Chelsea's vulnerable defence.

Manchester City and Chelsea have strong midfield line-ups spearheaded by two of the most reliable stars in the Premier League's recent history. N'golo Kante and Kevin De Bruyne have faced each other on several occasions in the past and will view this game as an excellent opportunity to stamp their authority on the Premier League title race.

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