Preview: Manchester City vs. Chelsea

Jose Mourinho left the Etihad Stadium last Monday having been lauded for masterminding Chelsea's 1-0 Premier League win at Manchester City.

Full-back Branislav Ivanovic scored the only goal of the game at Eastlands as Chelsea ended Manuel Pellegrini's 100% home record as Citizens boss.

Mourinho has since insisted that his 'little horse' cannot compete with City, but a repeat of their Eastlands success in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday may convince him he has a Thoroughbred in his stable.

He certainly has the form runner in the shape of Eden Hazard, who has taken the Blues to the top of the table with his recent performances. The Belgian scored a hat-trick against Newcastle United last weekend, but could not inspire them to more than a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.

John Terry missed the game at The Hawthorns with an ongoing muscle problem, and his omission may be the only change that Mourinho makes from the XI that triumphed in Manchester less than two weeks ago.

Oscar may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Frank Lampard in line for a recall in the centre of midfield. David Luiz will probably again be asked to drop back into defence to cover for Terry's absence, and will partner Gary Cahill if the England international can overcome a calf strain.

Pellegrini has shuffled his pack in the previous rounds, where they overcame Blackburn Rovers and Watford, but he is expected to name his strongest possible lineup for the visit of one of their title rivals.

He is still without Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho, but Samir Nasri could play some part after stepping up his recovery from knee ligament injury. Matija Nastasic and Javi Garcia are also injury doubts.

James Milner may again be asked to deputise in a holding midfield role alongside Yaya Toure, who is available after escaping FA punishment following his alleged stamp on Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

Recent form

Man City: DLWWWW

Chelsea: DWWDWW

Possible starting lineups

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Kolarov; Milner, Toure, Silva, Navas; Dzeko, Negredo

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matic, Lampard; Willian, Hazard, Eto'o

Sports Mole says: 1-1