Fragile Manchester City host Chelsea after shock defeat in Paris

LONDON : Just when Manchester City appeared to have resumed normal service, Pep Guardiola's side once again find themselves under the microscope as they prepare to host top-four rivals Chelsea in the Premier League's big weekend clash on Saturday.

A 6-0 hammering of Ipswich Town last weekend looked like the moment the champions had put all the frustrations of the first half of the season to bed in spectacular fashion.

But it proved something of an illusion as a horrible capitulation to Paris St Germain on Wednesday left City in grave danger of being eliminated from the Champions League.

City led 2-0 in the French capital but ended up losing 4-2 - a defeat that left them 25th in the 36-team table and needing to win their last game to stand a chance of a playoff spot.

Chelsea, who ended a five-game winless streak in the Premier League when they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday, will relish the chance to put another dent in City's ego.

Enzo Maresca's side's title challenge may have faded but they are in fourth spot, two points ahead of fifth-placed City and the mood will be buoyant as they head to The Etihad.

When the sides met at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season, City won 2-0 and few would have given Chelsea much chance of being above Guardiola's side come January.

But the new reality, at least for this season, is that City are in a scrap with the likes of Chelsea, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and even Bournemouth to try and ensure they are in the Champions League next season.

Third-placed Forest, level with Arsenal in second on 44 points, are at seventh-placed Bournemouth (37) on Saturday.

Newcastle United, who are sixth with 38, travel to bottom club Southampton seeking to bounce back