Premier League preview: Manchester City v Chelsea

Team news
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes will assess the fitness of record signing Robinho before deciding whether to start him against Chelsea in tomorrow's Barclays Premier League game.

The Brazilian is certain to feature at some point in the game but only trained with City for the first time today - he has been on international duty since his £32.5million move from Real Madrid.

Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta may also make his debut and Micah Richards could be available after a shoulder injury but Martin Petrov (knee) is definitely out and Michael Johnson (groin) is doubtful.

Provisional squad: Hart, Schmeichel, Richards, Kompany, Zabaleta, Dunne, Onuoha, Ben Haim, Ball, Garrido, Fernandes, Hamann, Ireland, Johnson, Elano, Evans, Sturridge, Caicedo, Jo, Benjani, Robinho.

Chelsea will be without Michael Essien for up to six months after the midfielder suffered a knee injury on international duty but John Mikel Obi (leg) has been passed fit to play at Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow.

Michael Ballack remains sidelined with a foot problem but Didier Drogba returns to the squad for the first time this season following a knee injury.

Chelsea will seek medical advice on the availability of Joe Cole, who suffered a cut to the head while playing for England in midweek.

Provisional squad: Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Belletti, Obi, Lampard, Deco, Anelka, Drogba, J Cole, Bridge, Alex, Ferreira, Kalou, Malouda, Di Santo, Ivanovic.

The New Football Pools pundits' predictions
John Barnes: Away win
Tony Cascarino: Draw
Graham Poll: Away win

OPTA Match facts
Man City have failed to score in the last seven Premier League games against Chelsea

Didier Drogba has scored five goals in five Premier League starts against City.

City have only won six out of 66 games against London's Premier League three ever-presents - Tottenham (3), Chelsea (2) and Arsenal (1).

Man City have failed to score in their last seven Premier League games Chelsea, the joint-worst run of any fixture in Premier League history.

City have converted 26% of their chances into goals - the best in the Premier League

Shaun Wright-Phillips matched his seasonal 2006-07 and 2007-08 goal tallies for Chelsea in just his first game back at Manchester City with two goals.

City have lost nine and won only one of their 11 Premier league games at home to Chelsea

In fact, City have won just four and lost 25 of their 33 home games against London's big three of Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal.

Salomon Kalou has scored in his last two outings against City.

The Citizens have only scored five goals against Chelsea in their last 18 meetings.

Manchester City have failed to score against Chelsea 15 times in the Premier League - more than against Any other side.

Chelsea have kept 15 clean sheets in the Premier League against Man City - they have only kept more against Spurs and Middlesbrough (16).

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