Premier League: Chelsea gears up for Manchester City test, Liverpool look to grab top spot

A draw between Manchester City and Chelsea would give Liverpool an opportunity to claim top spot with a win.

New Delhi: Premier League leaders, Chelsea travel to the Etihad stadium to face Manchester City understating that their stay at top of the league standings will be under threat against the third placed outfit.

Antonio Conte has specifically asked his team to be wary of the threat ex-Blues midfielder Kevi de Bruyne possesses as Pep Guardiola will be looking expecting his talismanic Belgian to inspire teammates in this stern test.

De Bruyne wasn't able to impress the then Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who sold him to German club Wolfsburg in 2014.

Since then, the 25-year-old Belgium midfielder has been a huge hit, first in Bundesliga and now in the Premier League too since joining City for £55 million last year.

Both teams have two of the best strikers in modern football -Diego Costa (Chelsea) and Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) – who are set to go head-to-head in this epic battle.

Liverpool target league summit

Just one point adrift of the Blues, Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have been a revelation. A draw between Manchester City and Chelsea would give the Reds an opportunity to claim top spot with a win.

The absence of Brazilian playmaker, Philippe Coutinho through injury would be a huge challenge to overcome and Klopp would be expecting the likes of Divock Origi as Daniel Sturridge is ruled out against Bournemouth.

Roberto Firmino, meanwhile is back from injury and Adam Lallana faces a late fitness test to be included in the squad.

Arsenal will be looking to get back to winnings ways against West Ham this weekend after their league cup exit to the hands of Southampton mid-week.

Arsene Wenger's side were beaten 2-0 by Claude Puel's men, ending the Gunners' 19-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Manchester Untied, meanwhile, face a tricky trip to Everton having won just one game in their last 7 league outings.

FIXTURES:

Saturday

Crystal Palace v Southampton, Manchester City v Chelsea (1230 GMT), Stoke v Burnley, Sunderland v Leicester, Tottenham v Swansea, West Brom v Watford, West Ham v Arsenal (1730 GMT)

Sunday

Bournemouth v Liverpool (1330 GMT), Everton v Manchester United (1600 GMT)

Monday

Middlesbrough v Hull (2000 GMT)