Chelsea looking to secure a Champions League spot as they host Manchester City

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says his side will have to be at their best when they host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in the pursuit of  Champions League spot on Thursday at 19:30 GMT.

The London side are looking to secure a Champions League spot and they are close to achieving three consecutive wins for the first time since November 2019. When asked about the table climb, Lampard said: ‘’We need to absolutely focus on ourselves to try and get as high in the league as we can.’’

To complete this mission a win against a world-class side is required, the 42-year-old added: ‘’When you play a team at the level of Manchester City, we have to play well.’’ He said ‘’We’ll have to be at our best.’’

Chelsea come off a 1-2 away triumph against Aston Villa. Sitting at fourth with 51 points and the aim will be to extend the gap between them and fifth-placed Manchester United who possess 49 points.

On the other direction of the table are Leicester City who dropped two points as they drew against Brighton and have 55 points in third. It will be a more important task for Lampard to close in on The Foxes’ position and secure a Champions League spot for the next season where new arrivals Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech can prove to be very effective.

The hosts will be looking to striker Tammy Abraham to extend his 13 goals tally and prevail, the Englishman is nonetheless, in competition with Olivier Giroud who has found the net in the last two games

Meanwhile, visitors Manchester City come with great momentum to the capital following a 5-0 thrashing against Burnley at home. A game that saw Riyad Mahrez and young Phil Foden score a brace each. The youngster is exploiting every chance that represents itself for him to impress his coach as veteran David Silva will be leaving the club in the summer.

City sit at second with 63 points, yet all league title hopes seem to be shattered as Liverpool are inches away from becoming champions with 20 points ahead of them.

In terms of previous clashes, Man City have won six and lost three in the last nine meetings, most recently a tight 2-1 win for Guardiola’ side separated both sets of players, however, it looks as if Chelsea have more to win than City have to lose.

Team News

Concerning the Chelsea personnel Callum Hudson Odoi and Fikayo Tomori were unavailable to the trip to Villa Park. The defender will certainly be absent. While Jorginho is no longer suspended and can be an option for Lampard in midfield.

City star Sergio Aguero will be a doubt for the night after picking up a knee injury last time out, the Sky Blues manager said Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling ‘’or even Gundogan’’ can potentially take his place up front. Midfielder Eric Garcia remains sidelined.