Premier League Matchday 27 preview: Manchester City vs Chelsea

The six-pointer between second-placed Man City and third-placed Chelsea is undoubtedly the key fixture of the Premier League Matchday 27. Should Chelsea secure the victory, they close the gap between two teams to a single point; if the Citizens manage to see off the challenge of the in-form Blues, they extend their lead to seven points. With Mancini claiming the title race is not yet over, the win over Chelsea would be the best way to show their ambition.

Man City team news:

Roberto Mancini has decided to rest several first-choice players for the FA Cup fifth round encounter against Leeds. He preferred to drop Hart, Clichy and Dzeko in favor of Pantilimon, Kolarov and Tevez. The Italian is looking to bring all those rested back into the squad. Dzeko is in an excellent form haing netted six goals in his last 7 premier League games.

Man City have been given a huge boost with the news that their talismanic skipper Vincent Kompany has fully recovered from his calf injury. Should he successfully past the fitness test he is to be included in the place of Kolo Toure.

Gareth Barry is a major doubt after picking up knock at the training session, while Micah Richards will be definitely out.

Chelsea team news:

Rafa Benitez is also set to make several changes from the side that held Sparta Prague to a 1-1 draw in the dying stages of the game. Lampard, Ivanovic and Cole were all rested for the Europa League tie on the threshold of the important Premier League clash. They are expected to be back in the places of Mikel, Terry and Bertrand.

Benitez is set to prefer Hazard over Oscar, due to the match-winning contribution of the former in Europa league last-32 tie second leg against Sparta Prague. Demba Ba is poised to start up front at the expense of struggling Fernando Torres.