Ashley Cole is available again as Chelsea take on Barclays Premier League title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

The England left-back has been absent with a rib problem, but is expected to slot straight into the side in place of Cesar Azpilicueta, the right-back who played on the left in Tuesday's Champions League clash at Schalke.

Midfielder Marco van Ginkel, who is out long-term with a knee injury, is the only injury absentee.

Jose Mourinho is well aware his side face a significant test of their title ambitions but the Blues boss is relaxed about the outcome of the Stamford Bridge clash.

The contest is one of the most eagerly awaited of the season so far, pitting squads lavishly assembled by Roman Abramovich and Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour, one of the few men in the world with more disposable cash than the Russian oligarch.

Chelsea are a point better off than City after eight games and enter the contest on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run which has included 14 goals in their last four games.

"We have to play our game," Mourinho said.

"We are going to play our game and let's see if our game is enough to win against them.

"I just play every game the same way. We want to win. To win is good, to lose is not good.

"(But) in this moment, with the way the Premier League is going week after week, no result will put a team in a great situation, no result will put a team in a difficult situation.

"Every weekend somebody loses points. Some weekends more than one of the top teams lose points.

"The league is hard, so I don't think at this stage, mid-October, one game is going to be crucial.

"We have tests every week. It's a big team, yes, it's a very good team, but every match is a test and every match is three points."

City captain Vincent Kompany is still sidelined by a thigh problem but midfielder Jack Rodwell is fit to be involved.

Defender Martin Demichelis has made progress from a knee injury having not yet featured since his summer arrival.

Midfielder Samir Nasri insists City head into the fixture on a high after back-to-back victories.

"Winning at West Ham and CSKA means we will go into this game with a lot more confidence," he said.

"It was important we started winning away in the Premier League but we know Chelsea won't be an easy game.

"I think they are more complete than they were last season - they are always a threat, especially on their own pitch and with Jose Mourinho returning, that's even more the case so we will have to be at our best if we are to get a good result."

which team will steal the show with oga webb in the centre of the field come on sunday?...lets hear your views

chelsea go see gbese

it will be chelsea 1-5 man city

I smell a 2-2 Draw
How i wish the two teams can loose

There'll be a red card to either of the team.. RAMIRES shouldn't play.. Thats all.

If you think Manchester City would bulldoze Stanford Bridge, click LIKE


Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole could be fit to face Manchester City on Sunday after missing the last two matches with a rib injury.
Defender Gary Cahill was preferred to David Luiz for Tuesday's win at Schalke and will hope to retain his place.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany remains sidelined with the thigh problem that has kept him out of the last two matches.
Martin Demichelis is not yet ready to make his debut following a knee injury.

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[quote author=sweetiePe]If you think Manchester City would bulldoze Stanford Bridge, click [b]LIKE

no u r wrong..,if u think CHELSEA will send MAN CITY packing...,hit LIKE

it was a tricky game!! But @ d end, d final scoreline stood @: Chel 2 : Man City 1.


#enjoy the game!!

jesus died.

chelsea will loose

The match will be a draw. Blue Vs Blue.

If both team cannot Lose den let dem draw. Seriously i would prefer dey both lose if its possible. One luv

fremzy1: chelsea will loose

Chelsea go win dis 1 na......... If chelsea nor win dis match make I suspend 4 air............. Teamchelseamustwin.........

Chelsea 2 man city 1

I can't fit laugh. I pity anyone playing Man city right now. Chelsea will get r.aped and slaughtered. I no fit laughing. I shall not laughed

Chelsea should learn from man-utd match!

There are lots of man utd freaks here.u guys r very funny!like really?u want both teams to lose @ d same time?hmmmm!but chelsea to win for sure.u can quote me on dat...mr mourinho is d master of d game called football!

Whilst i pray we win, realistically as a chelsea fan, a draw wouldnt be a bad outcome as this Man city team is our direct contender for the premiership title..
forget about arsenal, the third place will be Ok for them as we know how they always falter in the run-ins to the title and Man utd this term is a top four team at best.

Imagin..man city @stamford bridge dont deceive ursef ooo...i pity ur bld pressure oo..chelsea ol d way! 3-0

90 minutes will decide.

Afam4eva: I can't fit laugh. I pity anyone playing Man city right now. Chelsea will get r.aped and slaughtered. I no fit laughing. I shall not laughed

Oga Afam, anytime I see your comment Chelsea always win.

Chelsea haters will neva change no matter what u give to them. Imagine Abrahamovic declaring excess profit and shearing to all these Anti-Chelsea followers. Will that make u all to change?

AWAY Olowo: Chelsea haters will neva change no matter what u give to them. Imagine Abrahamovic declaring excess profit and shearing to all these Anti-Chelsea followers. Will that make u all to change?

How much profit have they shared to you chelsea fans? Why worry about none chelsea fans.

Yaya toure alone will scatter chelsea midfield, light weight boys oscar nd hazard will me harrassed, the beast( negredo) and aguero are too hot to handle, chelsea fans knw dis, chelsea 1 city 3, don't say I didn't tell u o

i want both team to draw in order to give my darlin liverpool an edge.. Next week clash b/w liverpool and arsenal is gonna be a cracker since countinho is back...... *team liverpool*

Chelsea all the way

chelsea all d way. we are winning. haters hug transformer. jst starting. up TORRESSSSSSSSSSSS

Afam4eva:
How much profit have they shared to you chelsea fans? Why worry about none chelsea fans.

We worry about Anti-Chelsea followers cos they even worry more about chelsea both off and on the field. Meanwhile worry about chelsea physical dividend, d joy of winning almost in and out for close to two months and still running is enough joy.