Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has claimed that this Sunday's clash against Premier League title rivals Chelsea is "vital".

The North-West outfit finished second last season, eight points behind the Blues.

This time around, City have started off the better side as they opened their 2015-16 campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, while Chelsea stumbled to a 2-2 draw against Swansea City.

"Chelsea are very strong in every department from their defence and midfield to their attack, but it should be a good game and I'm really looking forward to playing in this match," Sterling told the club's official website.

"I'm hoping this one will go our way and it's vital that it does. We're on our own ground and with it being our first home game of the season, we want to get off on the right foot."

Last season when the two sides went head to head, nothing could separate them as they recorded 1-1 draws in both league fixtures.