By DAN KARELL
Just like in the NFL Super Bowl on Sunday evening, the English Premier League’s best offense faces the league’s best defense on Monday in a crucial mid-season match-up.
Second-placed Manchester City, scorer of 115 goals in all competitions this season, face fellow title-rivals Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium (3pm, NBC Sports Network), as Man City hope to leap-frog Arsenal back into top spot in the league. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has already begun the war of words, calling Man City “lucky” and an underachieving club. The same can be said this season for his high-priced Chelsea side, who couldn’t find a way through the West Ham defense last Saturday.
Fernandinho misses out due to an injury suffered in training while Edin Dzeko partners with Alvaro Negredo in place of Sergio Aguero for the hosts. Chelsea meanwhile have left out Oscar and are expected to play with both David Luiz and Nemanja Matic as holding midfielders, signaling a defensive approach.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.