Manchester City host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday knowing that any slip-ups could prove costly in what is turning out to be a fiercely-contested title race.

The champions regained top spot for the first time in almost two months with a midweek win over Everton, but they only lead the way on goal difference having now played a game more than Liverpool.

Raheem Sterling was rested for the trip to Goodison Park, but he is expected to return to the starting XI for the visit of Chelsea this weekend having laid on two assists in his last outing.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the England international has fared against the Blues in the past.

Sterling has struggled in games against Chelsea so far, losing half of his 12 meetings with the Blues across all competitions during his time at Liverpool and City.

The 24-year-old has only scored one goal in that time too, and that came in the semi-finals of the 2014-15 EFL Cup while still a Liverpool player.

The winger is therefore without a goal in four previous meetings at City and 10 in the Premier League at both clubs, with his best return in that time coming when he registered an assist in a 2-1 win during his final season at Liverpool.

Sunday's match will be just Sterling's second against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, and while he was unable to directly contribute to a goal on the previous occasion, Man City did run out 3-0 winners in what was one of his first games for the club.