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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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Rafael Benitez holds the Chelsea shirt as he is unveiled as manager on November 22, 2012
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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