Man City vs Chelsea: A heavy test!

(Baonghean.vn) - The 2016-2017 Premier League (EPL) is really exciting with fierce competition in the top group of the rankings. In particular, the two strategists Pep Guardiola and Conte are both asserting their leadership skills by helping Man City and Chelsea take turns to occupy the top position. Tonight's match (7:30 p.m., December 3) at Etihad will be a heavy test for both.

After Euro 2016, Coach Conte was brought to Stamford Bridge with the aim of reviving a "super ship" that was sinking in crisis in the 2015 - 2016 season. Under the leadership of the talented Italian strategist, the belief and desire for victory were completely revived.

Chelsea are flying high with a quality squad and very fit players.

The 3-4-3 formation helped the Stamford Bridge team erase the dullness of the initial warm-up matches to play brilliantly. The winning trajectory was re-established with 19 successful "shots" and only 1 goal conceded in a series of 7 consecutive wins.

But more importantly, the Italian strategist has done what his predecessor and tonight's opponent could not do. That is the way he inspires and "lights" the fire of enthusiasm in each player so that they always fight with all their might for him. All of that has helped them break away to take the top spot and become a formidable championship candidate, challenging all opponents.

Meanwhile, Man City is slowing down, causing fans' expectations to be interrupted. The series of 10 consecutive victories once made people easily mistake the image of an "English Barca" with the vitality named Pep Guardiola.

However, since losing to Tottenham, Pep Guardiola and his team have won only 3/10 matches, including 3 consecutive draws at home, against "underdogs" such as Everton, Southampton and Middlesbrough. It is worth noting that while the attack works, the defense destroys and has never made Pep feel secure with his experiments. With a defense facing so many problems, who can be sure that they can stop Chelsea's attacking line with Hazard, Costa and Pedro full of enthusiasm?

Meanwhile, Man City disappointed when losing points in 7/10 recent matches.

Another reason for Man City fans to worry is that the Etihad team often does not play well when facing opponents in the TOP 4. That will once again become a reality tonight when they have to welcome a Chelsea team with a better history of confrontation. The London representative has brought 3 points away from Manchester 11 times, after 38 encounters. Meanwhile, Man City only has 6 victories when hosting Chelsea at Etihad. Can coach Pep help Man City change that?

Defeating Chelsea, the top spot in the opponent's hand will belong to Man City. But to "turn the tables", Pep will have to have reasonable tactical improvisations. Just like how he and his students won when welcoming the "giant" Barca on the Champions League front and won a ticket to the knockout round of the Champions League at M'gladbach.

Centre-back Garry Cahill (Chelsea, left) and striker Kun Aguero (Man City) - who will win?

Obviously, Coach Conte and his team have the perfect luggage to enter the "Tiger's Den" Etihad. Therefore, there is no doubt that Chelsea set the target of 3 points to have the 8th consecutive victory, consolidate the No. 1 position and at the same time cut the tail of the opponent. A defeat will cause the pain to reappear and Man City can completely fall into crisis.

But Man City will not easily let the visitors "make a salad" right at their home ground, because Yaya Toure or Aguero and the veterans always know how to shine at the right time. That is the reason why this "big battle" becomes a heavy test for both.

Kim Thuy