Manchester City v Chelsea: The Gap Guardiola must prevent

The heavyweight clash between Manchester City and Chelsea is generating much debates even as the hour draws nigh for the anticipated all-action packed game.
The fixture pitches two of the most tactically sound club coaches in the world against each other and many expect to see their expertise on show at the Etihad Stadium.
As part of the build up to that all-important game, Chibezz takes a look at three weaknesses in the City team that Guardiola must protect so the Blues don't exploit.
Unsettled Bravo

Many are still amiss if Joe Hart isn't better in goal for City than Claudio Bravo brought in by Guardiola.

Bravo shockingly negates the preposition that with age comes experience.

Without taking anything away from his brilliant reflexes, his restlessness especially with back passes paints a grim picture of just how unsettled he is at his new club.

Exposed against Manchester United, then punished by both Celtic and Tottenham, the Chilean has certainly drawn unwarranted attention that other teams must exploit.

Crumble when outpaced

Since the dawn of the new campaign, Manchester City have relentlessly and inexorably pursued their opponents of the ball, winning back possession whenever they lost it, while frustrating the life out of their opposite number when in possession.

However, Pochettino with Tottenham  gave Guardiola’s charges a dose of their own medicine in their recent meeting.

Outpaced, outrun and outplayed, City couldn’t do much to marshal a comeback against a Tottenham side on overdrive.

There are not many teams in the Premier League than can match Manchester City’s expensively assembled squad, but one way of beating them is by simply outrunning them. Will Conte exploit that at the Etihad on Saturday

Fragile Defense

Though it’s hard to notice Manchester City’s vulnerability at the back, the Citizens still have a lot to do in that department.

The absence of skipper Vincent Kompany has without question destabilized the back four, but the presence of Nicolas Otamendi hasn’t provided the much needed voice at the defensive line either.

Other than holding great promise, John Stones is often quiet at the back while Aleksandar Kolarov is as inconsistency as they come.

For as long as Kompany is absent, Manchester City’s underlying defensive woes can be put to test.