Event of the Day: Chelsea versus Manchester City
Our event of the day is the Premier League fixture between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City are unbeaten this year in league play and hold a narrow 2-point lead at the top of the table. Chelsea, who went unbeaten until late November, come into today’s fixture in 4th after losing 2 of their last 3 league games. They will hope to bounce back, as well as close the 10-point gap between them and the top of the table. Be sure you don’t miss what is set to be an exciting match. Manchester City are unbeaten in 21 Premier League matches, last losing in April during the 2017-18 season. Through the first 15 games of this season, they have 13 wins and 2 draws. Their only loss this season came in the Champions League against Lyon in September. Pep Guardiola’s team has mastered the art of the ‘build-up attack’, slowly and methodically working out of midfield to advance on the opposition goal. The approach has been working - 32.3% of sequences involving ten or more passes have ended with a shot or a touch in the penalty area. They lead the league with 45 goals, while goalkeeper Ederson has only allowed 7 goals in league play. Right now, Manchester City are the team to beat.
Chelsea also started the season strong, going unbeaten through 12 games and keeping pressure on the City and Liverpool. However, their unbeaten season ended on November 24th when they were beaten 3-1 by Spurs. Since then, they have beaten Fulham convincingly before being stunned by Wolves on Wednesday night. The Blues allowed two second-half goals to give Wolverhampton their first Premier League win in 7 games. While a worrying downward trend for Chelsea, the game against Manchester City presents an interesting matchup. A defending Premier League champion hasn’t won at Stamford Bridge in their title defence season since 2002. Meanwhile, Manchester City have not won consecutive top-flight matches on the road against Chelsea since the 1950s. With Manchester City looking to continue their excellent season, and Chelsea looking to bounce back from a recent slump, it’s going to be an exciting game in London today.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the MLS Cup Final. Atlanta United host the Portland Timbers in a highly anticipated match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. A win for Atlanta, the favourite in the matchup, would bring the city its first major sporting championship since 1995. However, the Timbers come to Atlanta full of confidence. They have been the underdogs in their postseason run but have stayed calm and overcome FC Dallas, the Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City. Many of the Portland players who will take the field tonight were part of the Timbers’ 2015 championship winning side. Notably absent will be midfielder Darlington Nagbe, who played a key role in that 2015 side. He will line up for Atlanta against his former team. This is set to be an unforgettable MLS Cup Final. Elsewhere, in NCAA basketball, 3rd ranked Duke host Yale at the Cameron Indoor Stadium. The 2018 Tingle Creek Christmas Festival takes place at Sandown Park Racecourse. UFC 231 takes place at the Scotiabank Arena, with Max Holloway fighting Brian Ortega in the title fight. In the European Rugby Champions Cup, Bath host Leinster at the Recreation Ground. In the NHL, the Boston Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Premier League