Chelsea v Man City preview: City look to close the gap at the top

Before that FA Cup contest, there is Premier League (PL) action to take care of, and Chelsea will be eager to bounce back after suffering a disappointing 1-1 draw to Nottingham Forest in the previous round, leaving them in a mid-table position.

Consequently, this is the lowest Chelsea have been placed after 16 games since 2015/16 (16th), a season when they eventually finished tenth - their lowest PL finish since 1995/96! Pressure is subsequently mounting on Potter who, after winning the first three PL games of his Chelsea tenure, has seen his side slump to just one triumph from their following seven (D3, L3).

Having also won just once in eight (L7) matchups with four-time PL winner Pep Guardiola, Potter perhaps won’t relish a visit from the Spaniard’s Manchester juggernauts.

The Cityzens also suffered a shock 1-1 draw (with Everton) in their previous outing, which led to a frustrated Guardiola stating that the Toffees played with "eight at the back".

That left City trailing table-toppers Arsenal by seven points at the end of the round, and with only Liverpool in 2018/19 failing to win the title after leading by 7+ points at the end of New Year’s Eve, City look up against it if they are to retain their PL crown.

However, it was a Guardiola-led City side which achieved that comeback in 2018/19, something he is sure to remind his players of ahead of this road trip - a trip they should approach confidently after suffering defeat only once in their past 25 PL away games (W18, D6).

Players to watch: Raheem Sterling, who swapped City for Chelsea this season, struck against Forest in their last appearance and each of his last four goals have been the first of the match for his side.

He’ll be battling for the limelight with ex-Chelsea midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who has five goal contributions (G4, A1) from his last five PL games against the Blues.

Hot streak: Chelsea are winless in their last five PL games (D2, L3) against sides placed in the league’s top four ahead of this round.