Man City desperate to stay in touch with Chelsea

Manchester City will have more than just revenge on their minds against Chelsea on Saturday, with Pep Guardiola’s men at risk of leaving themselves with a mountain to climb in the Premier League title race.

Guardiola’s champions are just three points behind Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool after five games of the season. But that gap could easily grow over the course of a demanding week that ends with facing Liverpool after a midweek date vs PSG in the UCL.

Thomas Tuchel denied Guardiola the crowning achievement of his time at City by coming out on top in the tactical battle as the Blues won the Champions League final in May.

Victory in Porto completed a hat-trick of wins for Chelsea over City towards the end of last season that set the foundations for a tilt at the Premier League for the Stamford Bridge side. Another victory this weekend would mean Tuchel would become the first manager to ever beat Guardiola in four consecutive games.

The German’s near-flawless start to life in English football has continued in the early weeks of this season.

Chelsea have taken 13 points from a possible 15 despite tough away games so far against Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs.