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Preview: Chelsea vs. Manchester City

Sports Mole looks ahead to this Sunday's highly anticipated Premier League tie between Chelsea and Manchester City

New Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez begins his term at Stamford Bridge with a mouth-watering clash against Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.

It's a tough test for the former Liverpool boss, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo on Wednesday, as he attempts to win over a host of supporters who have yet to give the Spaniard their backing.

Chelsea sit third in the league table, while City currently top the standings following their 5-0 rout over Aston Villa last weekend.

Benitez is likely to opt for Fernando Torres, with who he reunited this week following both of their stints at Anfield, up front, while Eden Hazard and Juan Mata are expected to provide support from the wide areas.

Roberto Mancini is likely to place Sergio Aguero up top, while Joleon Lescott could return to the fray in defence and Carlos Tevez could once again be handed a spot on the bench.

Recent form:

Chelsea: WLDDL

Man City: WWDWW

Possible lineups:

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Hazard, Oscar, Mata; Torres

Man City: Hart; Maicon, Nastasic, Lescott, Zabaleta; Toure, Garcia; Silva, Nasri, Tevez; Aguero

Sports Mole says: 1-2


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Written by
Danielle Joynson

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Rafael Benitez holds the Chelsea shirt as he is unveiled as manager on November 22, 2012
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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