Mauricio Pochettino has been told he has a 'free hit' when Chelsea welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge this afternoon. The Blues come into the game as clear underdogs - but with the pressure off the home side, it could spark a shock result.

Chelsea will be full of confidence following their 4-1 win against Premier League title contenders Tottenham on Monday night. However, they will be very aware that they are coming up against the best team in Europe at present.

Erling Haaland is expected to be passed fit despite suffering a knee injury last weekend. The Norwegian striker scored twice in the Champions League win against Young Boys earlier this week and the Blues will face a tough task in keeping him quiet.

Stan Collymore does not think Chelsea will be able to record back-to-back wins after beating Tottenham earlier in the week, writing in his CaughtOffside column: “"It’s a free hit for Pochettino and his Blues side. They’ll look at this game and know they’re huge underdogs, and rightly so, and say ‘Let’s just go for it’.

“I think the home team will score but I still expect City will come out on top. I think the full-time result will be either 2-1 or 3-1 City.”

Chelsea have shown they are capable of stepping up their performances when it comes to facing the 'big six' - drawing against Liverpool and Arsenal, whilst also beating Spurs. However, TalkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy is predicting the Blues to get a draw versus City, telling talkSPORT: “I don’t really believe this, but you never back against your team, I find it hard - this is the game.

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"I was at Stamford Bridge a few years ago, it was 2-0, and it was the biggest drubbing of a 2-0 you’ll ever see. They tore us apart.

"I’m going to go for a draw, but I’m not totally convinced. When you’re not convinced you go 1-1, don’t you.”

Whilst Cundy believes the Blues can get a point against City, his prediction is hardly one of confidence. Many will expect Pep Guardiola's side to have too much quality for Chelsea - but Pochettino's side have shown already this season that they are capable of proving their doubters wrong.