Preview - City v Chelsea

While it would have been nice to get a mid-week win against Sunderland, it was probably even better to get a week of rest. We haven't gotten a full week between games since the international break back in November. That's 22 games in a two in a half months. With a packed schedule, there's no wonder that we've had so many injuries.

Good news: Samir Nasri is back, and ready to go. I don't think that he'll play the full 90, but I expect him to come on around the 60 minute mark and get some good match time in preparation for Tuesday's match against Barcelona. Javi Garcia is also back, and I expect him to do the same, coming on for Yaya if we have the lead, and for James Milner / Jack Rodwell if we don't.

Bad news: The programme booth took a beating in the wind, and it is unsure if it will be available for action on Saturday.

Aguero/Fernandinho update: Both are expected to miss the Barcelona match, but I am hoping against hope that at least one, if not both, will be available to help us beat the Blaugrana.

Chelsea squad update: Gary Cahill and John Terry are both going to miss this match, which requires David Luiz to play at CB, and Branislov Ivanovic to move there as well. Ashley Cole will come back into the team at LB, and Azpilicueta will go back to his usual RB slot. Chelsea will be shakier than usual, which could lead to some good goal scoring opportunities.

Expected lineup: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Yaya, Rodwell, Silva, Navas, Jovetic, Negredo.

Predicted score: Chelsea will be weaker than normal defensively, but they are still super intimidating. Nemanja Matic has been very impressive since his return, and they are more than a handful up front. I think that we win 3-2, but it won't be pretty or easy.