Antonio Conte twice got the better of Pep Guardiola last season (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have the edge over Manchester City this weekend because Pep Guardiola’s tactics could play into Antonio Conte’s hands, according to former Liverpool star Danny Murphy.

The pair will be regarded as among two of the main Premier League title contenders this season, and this match at Stamford Bridge will be seen as an early-season six-pointer in the race for the trophy.

Chelsea beat City twice last season, however, with Conte’s side having little trouble soaking up Guardiola’s possession football and having enough quality of their own to hit them on the break.

Conte will be desperate to close the gap on Man City (Picture: Getty)

Murphy believes that could be the pattern again this season, and for that reason told the London Evening Standard he expected the Blues to gain a crucial result to throw the title race wide open.

‘I fancy Chelsea for this one. City are playing superbly but, even without Sergio Aguero, they will have so many attacking players on the pitch that a side who are well-organised and counter-attack effectively, as Chelsea do, will always have a chance of exposing them,’ Murphy said.

‘You feel, too, that City need to be at their best in games like these, whereas Chelsea can get a result without playing particularly well.

Danny Murphy believes Chelsea are favourites for this weekend’s clash (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea v Man City last 5 meetings

Man City 3-0 Chelsea

Chelsea 5-1 Man City

Chelsea 0-3 Man City

Man City 1-3 Chelsea

Chelsea 2-1 Man City

‘And, of course, Chelsea have their match-winner, Eden Hazard, back in business again.’

Chelsea will start the game three points behind City and will not want to fall further behind them and Manchester United at this early stage of the season.

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