Chelsea square off with Manchester City at Eastlands on Sunday evening in what has been billed as an early acid test for the Premier League champions.

The Sky Blues finished second to their London counterparts last term, but victory this weekend would see City command a four-point lead over them already.

Manchester City

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Thumping a Tony Pulis-managed West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at The Hawthorns to open their Premier League season will have done Manchester City a world of good.

Such a victory perhaps proved that the players are fully behind Pellegrini, who was heavily expected to leave the Etihad after overseeing a trophyless season last term. If first impressions are anything to go by then the Chilean and his troops could push Chelsea very close in the defence of their title.

It was not only the fact that the 2014 Premier League champions failed to win a trophy last time around; it was also the manner of their league title defence that concerned the club's hierarchy.

The trophy looked destined for Stamford Bridge by Christmas, with Pellegrini's men finishing some eight points behind the West Londoners in the end.

However, they look ready to repent after smashing West Brom on Monday, with goals from Yaya Toure, David Silva and Vincent Kompany doing the damage, but consistency is of paramount importance this time around. Losing games that they should have won was a regular theme in both halves of their 2014-15 campaign, and that inconsistency undoubtedly played a part in the eight-point gap.

Sunday represents a chance for City to move four clear of the Blues this time around. In his pre-match press conference, Pellegrini stressed that he was not thinking about the title this early, but he will know that it is better to be in front of Chelsea than behind them.

Recent form: W
Pre-season form (all competitions): WWLL

Chelsea

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To say that Chelsea have looked sluggish since lifting their fourth Premier League title would be an understatement; so much so that the champions travel to Manchester on Sunday as the underdogs.

Last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Swansea in their Premier League opener should not have come as a major surprise given that Jose Mourinho's side have not looked like a side ready to begin the defence of their title.

The setback at home to the Swans came six days after losing 1-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield - their third pre-season defeat after going down to New York Red Bulls and Fiorentina. Their other two friendlies ended in draws, before the Blues edged out both Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in a penalty shootout.

By virtue of the fact that they were friendlies, the significance of their pre-season performances was played down by Mourinho, who said that the visit of Swansea represented the return of "real football".

His players must have missed the memo after producing yet another sluggish display, and were arguably lucky to win a point in a game that saw the visitors dominate for much of the encounter.

Nevertheless, the trip to Manchester City comes at a good time for Chelsea. Mourinho need only have seen the way in which his troops came to life after being reduced to 10 men last week - with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sent off - to know that his side thrive under a test.

There can be precious few examinations as rigorous as the one they undoubtedly face on Sunday. While the Portuguese will be delighted to get it out of the way so early, he will also hope that such a test serves to bring the best out of his team. For the first time since May, he might just see the real Premier League champions.

Recent form: D
Pre-season form (all competitions): LWWLL

Team News

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Toure is expected to start again despite suffering a knock against the Baggies, while Gael Clichy could return at left-back to displace Aleksandar Kolarov.

Summer signing Fabian Delph is still not ready for his debut, while fellow midfielder Fernando is also a doubt.

Sergio Aguero could come back to spearhead City's attack in favour of Wilfried Bony after starting the win over Albion on the bench.

Elsewhere, Asmir Begovic will deputise for Courtois due to the Belgian's one-match ban, with Oscar - who scored against Swansea - doubtful due to an ankle injury.

Diego Costa started last week and is expected to be given the nod again after seemingly recovering from his hamstring injury.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure, Silva, Navas, Sterling; Aguero

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Moses, Hazard, Willian; Costa

Head To Head

Manchester City bring a three-match unbeaten streak with them to the Etihad Stadium, with both encounters last term finishing 1-1. Prior to that Pellegrini's men secured a 2-0 FA Cup victory at Eastlands in February 2014 - 12 days after Chelsea beat them 1-0 in a result that saw Mourinho lauded his for his tactics. That was their first away victory over the Citizens since September 2008.

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We say: Manchester City 1-2 Chelsea

That win at the Etihad in 2014 would suggest that Mourinho has a blueprint of sorts when it comes to beating Manchester City. It will not be easy, considering Sunday's hosts got their campaign underway in style, but we reckon that Chelsea will kick-start their season by leaving Manchester with a slender victory.

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