Manchester City host Chelsea on Monday evening and it should be quite the occasion. Thomas Rooney from Footballtips.com previews the action at the Etihad.

Ask any football fan their opinion on the title race and the majority will say its between these two. Either Manuel Pellegrini or Jose Mourinho will lead their team to glory this season.

That seems a fair conclusion too. Arsenal are competing more than ever, but have they got what it takes to get over the line? Out at 11/2 to win the title, they are the third favourites.

So, taking Monday night as the battle between the two main contenders, it's a massive evening for both teams. You send a serious message by getting three points in this one.

As the home side, it probably won't surprise you to see Manchester City as the 20/23 favourites with Bet Victor. Quite simply, they are unstoppable at the Etihad.

Scoring goals for fun, they are a constant threat to the opposition defence. From the fluency and pace in midfield to the clinical finishing up front, there's arguably no-one better right now.

This will be reduced slightly by the injury to Sergio Aguero, while Alvaro Negredo is a doubt too. This leaves the emphasis very much on Edin Dzeko - but he has a great record.

It's a team effort from City too. Everyone is confident right now and they have goals all over the pitch. On this note, Yaya Toure looks a cracking anytime scorer bet at 11/4 with Betfred.

There's no doubt City will hit Chelsea with attack after attack too. That's the way they play and it's the style that's seen them hammer Arsenal, Tottenham and Man Utd among others.

As for the visitors - at 7/2 with Bet365 for the win - they have approached big games, particularly away from home. At Man Utd and at Arsenal, they've been happy with a point from the word go.

Mourinho criticised Sam Allardyce for his approach in the week, but in truth, Chelsea have gone into more than one game searching for a draw from the word go.

This won't cut it at the Etihad Stadium though. Chelsea's defence is good, but not that good. They cannot simply sit back and let the home side at them.

So maybe, just maybe - we will see the Blues give this one a real go. Neutrals watching the game will certainly hope so, making over 2.5 goals at 4/6 with Ladbrokes.

Chelsea edged the previous meeting between these two earlier this season and it could go the way of the home side again in an entertaining contest.

From this point on, can anyone stop City?

Recommended bet:

Chelsea to win and BTTS @ 5/2 with Coral

Thomas Rooney is the Editor of FootballTips.com - the best place for this weekend's Premier League tips