Yes, we're still early in the season, but the opportunity is staring Manchester City in the face to take a five-point edge on defending champion, Chelsea on Sunday morning in the biggest Barclays Premier League duel of the campaign to date.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Take a picture of these betting lines. They're not something you see every day. Chelsea is an underdog.
The Blues are actually rather large underdogs in this one, too, as they are +270 on the moneyline. They're also +0.5 on the Asian handicap, essentially making this a 50/50 proposition as to whether they will manage a point or better at the Ethiad.
The total is somewhat low at 2.5 with the vig on the under sitting at -118.
KEY INJURIES
Sergio Aguero is still unsure as to whether he is going to make his BPL season debut this week against Chelsea or not. Gael Clichy is still out with an ankle injury, but the news is good on Yaya Toure after he was taken off of the pitch against West Brom with a groin injury last week. He should be good to go on Sunday.
Chelsea's only woe in this fixture is playing without Thibaut Courtois, who is going to serve a suspension in this match after getting a red card last week against Swansea.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"The Premier League is very tough. There's a very long way to go. Sunday is going to be tough again; after that we have Everton. I think it is a strong start. We are fully focused this year." – Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure on the importance of this match against Chelsea and the tough EPL schedule in general
RECENT FORM
It's only one match, but the little bit of sampling we got from the first week of the Premier League season suggests that Man City can contend.
The Citizens were the most impressive team on the docket on Match Day 1, blowing up West Brom 3-0 on the road. The result in a vacuum isn't much, but when you compare it to Chelsea's 1-1 draw against Swansea, a match which easily could have been lost, even before Courtois was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, it could be seen as significant.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
It all looks like Chelsea is in some trouble in this match. Asmir Begovic is going to have to take over in the pipes for the suspended Courtois, and the Chelsea back four looked to be incredibly dismal against a Swansea side without tremendous attackers.
Theoretically, Raheem Sterling should be able to run for days in this one, even if Aguero doesn't start alongside him up front as we suspect he ultimately will.
But still, these are the types of matches the Blues find ways to win. For years and years, Manuel Pellegrini has been the subject of a tremendous troll job by Jose Mourinho, and for years and years, Mourinho has managed to get the upper hand on the Italian.
That could very well be the case once again on Sunday. There is full expectation at the Ethiad for an improved Manchester City side to get three points, but we suspect the results will be the exact opposite. Either way, we know that we want the half ball on our side, but an emphatic and dominant Chelsea victory wouldn't surprise us either.
Chelsea 3, Manchester City 1
BookMaker has live BPL odds for every clash of the season. BookMaker is also going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised match. Manchester City opened as a +105 favorite. The first offering of the total came in at 2.5. Live wagering during the match offers an adjusted moneyline, total and spread. Log in and start gambling during the soccer match now!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The fixture between Manchester City and Chelsea will take place on Sunday, August 16, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Ethiad Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network.
