Chelsea will be determined to extend their winning streak when they lock horns with Manchester City this weekend. The Premier League champions will welcome the Blues to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon as either side looks to climb the table.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side head into the clash on the back off a 3-1 win against Crystal Palace under the the lights at Selhurst Park. Jefferson Lerma fired the Eagles ahead in the first-half with a tremendous strike before Chelsea, who looked revitalised after the break, found an equaliser through Conor Gallagher.
The Cobham graduate doubled his tally shortly into stoppage time, handing the Blues the lead. Just moments later, Chelsea caught Palace outnumbered on the counter-attack and Enzo Fernandez put the final nail in the coffin.
Three crucial points dragged Chelsea into the top half of the table. While the Blues appear to be building momentum, a Champions League qualification spot looks out of reach – not to mention some difficult games left the play in the calendar.
So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures in the ambitious race for top-four.
Man City (A) – Premier League – February 17
With Erling Haaland AND Kevin De Bruyne both back from injury now, Pep Guardiola will be eyeing up the Premier League title. Stopping the Manchester City could be almost impossible for Chelsea – although the Blues did give the reigning champions a run for their money at Stamford Bridge earlier this term.
While the Blues will be determined to set the record straight, Jurgen Klopp could very well have Mohamed Salah back in his starting lineup by the end of the month. Not to mention Trent Alexander-Arnold too, who only featured off the bench against Chelsea.
Leeds United (H) – FA Cup fifth round – February 28
A rivalry which dates back to the ‘hooligan era’ of British football. With that being said, either side will be desperate to get one over the other. Chelsea have only lost once to Leeds across all competitions since 2003 though, so the Blues will keen to pile on the misery.
Brentford (A) – Premier League – March 2
Now that Ivan Toney has returned, suddenly Brentford have become a force to be reckoned with again. It also doesn’t help that Chelsea are winless in four games against the Bees.
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Newcastle United (H) – Premier League – March 11
If Chelsea can win their preceding fixtures, this could be a huge game in the race for top four. Pochettino will be just as keen to secure a Champions League qualification spot this season as Eddie Howe, so this could soon shape up to be a must-win tie for either side.
Meanwhile…
Arsenal
Burnley (A) – Premier League – February 17
Porto (A) – Champions League RO16 first-leg – February 21
Newcastle (H) – Premier League – February 24
Sheffield United (A) – Premier League – March 4
Brentford (H) – Premier League – March 9
Tottenham Hotspur
Wolves (H) – Premier League – February 17
Crystal Palace (H) – Premier League – March 2
Aston Villa (A) – Premier League – March 9
Fulham (A) – Premier League – March 16
Luton Town (H) – Premier League – March 30
Aston Villa
Fulham (A) – Premier League – February 17
Nottingham Forest – Premier League – February 24
Luton Town (A) – Premier League – March 2
Tottenham Hotspur (H) – Premier League – March 10
West Ham (A) – Premier League – March 17
Manchester United
Luton Town (A) – Premier League – February 18
Fulham (H) – Premier League – February 24
Nottingham Forest (A) – FA Cup fifth round – February 28
Manchester City (A) – Premier League – March 3
Everton (H) – Premier League – March 9
Newcastle United
Bournemouth (H) – Premier League – February 17
Arsenal (A) – Premier League – February 24
Blackburn Rovers (A) – FA Cup fifth round – February 27
Wolves (H) – Premier League – March 2
Chelsea (A) – Premier League – March 11
Brighton
Sheffield United (A) – Premier League – February 18
Everton (H) – Premier League – February 24
Wolves (A) – FA Cup fifth round – February 28
Fulham (A) – Premier League – March 2
Nottingham Forest (H) – Premier League – March 10
West Ham
Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League – February 17
Brentford (H) – Premier League – February 26
Everton (A) – Premier League – March 2
Burnley (H) – Premier League – March 10
Aston Villa (H) – Premier League – March 17
