Premier League preview: Man City can expose Chelsea faults

What a difference a year makes. Chelsea began their last Premier League campaign in a blaze of glory and by the time they visited the Etihad to take on title rivals Man City in September they had played four, won four and scored 15 goals in the process.

Their trip to the blue half of Manchester comes earlier in the season this year, but already there are signs are that this will be a very different campaign for the Blues.

There has been no repeat of last summer's transfer masterclass, the Blues' pre-season form was disappointing and Jose Mourinho has already dusted off his tin helmet after last week's draw with Swansea and the ensuing brouhaha over his medical team.

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An away fixture against Man City is not what the doctor ordered, and it would come as no surprise if Mourinho parked the proverbial bus at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon.

As for Man City, they will be rather more upbeat after an impressive start to the season against West Brom. Manuel Pellegrini's team have developed a habit of winning the title and then failing to defend it. That's what happened last time out, when they allowed Chelsea to run away with the Premier League.

After an underwhelming season in 2014-15, the Citizens want to bounce back and a win over their rivals this year would send a clear indication that they want their trophy back.

They have the tools to do it. Swansea exposed the Chelsea defence last weekend, and the Blues looked vulnerable to quick turnovers and swift counter-attacks, says Adrian Clark on the official Premier League website.

"In central areas Yaya Toure and David Silva are two of the finest creative passers in the Barclays Premier League, and with Raheem Sterling's arrival, City have an additional forward with pace to aim for when sliding passes in behind defenders," he says.

City will probably have to be at their best to unlock Chelsea, says The Guardian, which notes that even at the height of their powers last season the Londoners played with nine men across their penalty box and scored their only goal on the counter attack.

This could be one of those fixtures that "looks mouthwatering on paper", but turns out to be "a spirit-crushing and tedious disappointment".

Let's hope that's not the case, but even if it is, the body language between Mourinho and his opposite number Manuel Pellegrini, who do not get on and have spent the summer sniping at each other should offer some form of entertainment.

It is hard not to conclude that a draw is the most likely outcome, but a City win would put the cat among the pigeons.