Chelsea vs Manchester City preview: Blues look to recover from Paris Saint-Germain disappointment

A look ahead to the FA Cup fixture at Stamford Bridge

(Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Branislav Ivanovic: With Kurt Zouma ruled out for the season and John Terry a doubt for this game, it’s likely he’ll be shifted across to central defence once again as he was against PSG in mid-week. Let’s not forget he did arrive in West London as centre-back but his success on the right has made him a mainstay in the position ever since. Tasked with unenviable challenge of keeping, the likes of Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling at bay, it’s vital he is able to form a solid partnership at the back with Gary Cahill to stand any chance of shutting them out.

Best stat…

No player has scored more goals as a substitute in the Premier League this season than Kelechi Iheanacho (3). Level with Naismith, Giroud and Benteke.

Remember when…

Frank Lampard drove a dagger through the hearts of Chelsea fans by opening his Manchester City account with an 85th minute equaliser against his former club.

Player to watch…

Kelechi Iheanacho: A relative unknown before the start of this season, he has scored in each of the previous rounds of this competition, including a hat-trick in the 4-0 win against Aston Villa, the first of his career. Despite only making six starts this season he has amassed nine goals, including a consolation effort when he came on against Tottenham last weekend. Manuel Pellegrini favours starting him in the FA Cup so expect him to target Chelsea’s makeshift defence in this one.

Past three-meetings…

Manchester City 3 (Aguero, Kompany, Fernandinho) Chelsea 0, August 2015

Chelsea 1 (Remy) Manchester City 1 (Silva), January 2015

Manchester City 1 (Lampard) Chelsea 1 (Schurrle), September 2014

Form Guide…

Chelsea: WWDDWL

Manchester City: DWWWLL

Vital Information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 4pm Sunday 21st

TV: BBC One