Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany insists the clash against Chelsea on Sunday will be huge and his side will need to produce a great performance.

The Citizens were not favourites to win the Premier League title ahead of the new season, with defending champions Chelsea and FA Cup holders Arsenal preferred.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men did manage to finish second last term but never really looked like they were going to retain their title and ended up eight points behind the Blues.

There was a huge amount of speculation about the Chilean tactician’s future as well but, with the boss recently signing a new deal until 2017 and a comfortable 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Monday, the optimism is back within the squad.

City were dominant against the Baggies, with Yaya Toure grabbing a brace and Kompany also getting himself on the score sheet, and the confidence is now high ahead of Sunday’s clash.

Although the result will not determine the overall outcome of the Premier League, the Belgium international insists the match will be a massive for both sides while admitting the club have something to prove this year.

“It will be a big game very early in the season,” he told Sky Sports. “We can’t go into it thinking it’s about winning the league, but it will matter so we need to put in a great performance.

“Last season was below what we’re used to doing. There are a lot of favourite teams now and we’re not part of it, I’ve heard. It’s something that gives us extra motivation.”

City are 2.05 favourites to pick up three points at the Etihad, a draw is 3.40 while Chelsea are outsiders at 3.75.