Man City vs Chelsea Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Ahead of the weekend, here’s a prediction, team news, lineups, and fixtures preview for Man City vs Chelsea. It’s likely to be an intriguing clash where you wouldn’t rule out any result. Man City are the favourites, but we know about their struggles, especially in defence. 

City trails Chelsea by two points after 22 matches. Enzo Maresca’s men won 3-1 against Wolves on Monday night. That was their first Premier League victory in six. Pep’s side are five unbeaten after trouncing Ipswich last weekend. They have had a relatively straightforward schedule, so it’s hard to see where they really stand. 

Man City vs Chelsea Prediction: Attack Beats Defence

England, Premier League, Saturday, January 25th, 17:30 (UK)

Pep Guardiola had an enjoyable time when his City team played Chelsea. Since the Champions League final, the sides have met ten times. Chelsea has lost eight times across all competitions, with two draws arriving in the Premier League last season. Perhaps this is the best opportunity for Enzo Maresca’s side to end their winless streak. The visitors are two points above City after 22 matches. 

Since that horrid run Manchester City endured, they’ve won three of their previous four Premier League matches. Let’s be fair. Leicester, West Ham, Brentford, and Ipswich are no world-beaters. The home side faces PSG in Paris on Wednesday in a crucial clash. Chelsea has no European commitments to deal with. It was a difficult festive season for the London club. Their win against Wolves was a first in six. 

It’s a relatively tricky game to predict. Can Manchester City be trusted so suddenly? I’m not so sure. Those positive results in recent weeks will add confidence, but Chelsea are a better side than each of those. Maresca’s side boast a 6-3-2 (WDL) record away from Stamford Bridge. An impressive 37 goals have arrived in their 11 away days. 

Chelsea have the attacking ability to cause City problems. Madueke, Neto, Palmer and Jackson are the likeliest starting offensive quartet. Those players have scored 30 Premier League goals this term. Only Liverpool and Spurs have scored more than Chelsea’s 44. Despite their strong offensive record, defensively, the Blues are uninspiring. Maresca’s side have managed four shutouts with just two in 17.

Man City have hosted three top-half sides at home this season. Arsenal and Fulham scored twice in their visits. I’m not expecting Pep’s men to earn a clean sheet. City has conceded in 17 of 22 Premier League games this season and in eight of ten games at the Etihad. Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich failed to breach the Citizens defence, the trio finding themselves in the relegation zone.

Goals look like the best way to attack this clash. With a combined nine clean sheets in 44, can we trust either defence? Several offensive options on both sides will be looking to pose a threat. Both sides should contribute to an entertaining affair on Saturday evening.

• Man City vs Chelsea Prediction: Over 3.25 Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.87
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10 (TRACKED BET)

Man City vs Chelsea Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, January 22nd 2024. Odds may now differ.

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Man City vs Chelsea Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Prediction: Key Midfielders Missing

Nathan Ake is suffering from a muscle injury. The Dutchman is likely to return in the next few weeks. Oscar Bobb hasn’t played since August after suffering a broken leg. His progress has improved significantly, and the Norwegian should feature in February.

Rodri’s absence continues. City is likely to spend big in January to fill his absence. It’s been four months since his last appearance. His absence has been disastrous at times.

Enzo Maresca has a handful of absences. Badiashile and Fofana are suffering from muscle and hamstring injuries, respectively. The pair is likely to return in February and May. Midfielders Enzo and Lavia are doubtful. The pair didn’t feature in their win over Wolves on Monday night. 

Cole Palmer is having a wonderful campaign. The youngster has 20 goal contributions in 22 outings. City will know about his talents, it’ll be easier said than done keeping him quiet. Defensively, this Chelsea side isn’t brilliant. Robert Sanchez has had plenty of criticism and made another error for the Wolves goal. 

Man City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Nunes, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Gundogan, Kovacic, Foden, De Bruyne, Doku, Haaland

Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, Enzo, Caicedo, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson

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Match OPTA Stats:

• Manchester City are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games against Chelsea (W5 D2), since a  2-1 home loss in May 2021. 
• Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League away games against Man City (1-0  in February 2014), failing to score themselves on seven occasions in that run. 
• This is the latest into a Premier League campaign that Chelsea are facing Manchester City while above  them in the table since 2016-17, when they won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on MD30 en route to winning the  title under Antonio Conte. 
• After a run of just one win in nine Premier League games from the start of November (D2 L6), Manchester  City have now won three of their last four (D1). They’ve scored 14 goals in this run, more than they had in  their previous 11 league games (13). 
• Manchester City have lost their last three Premier League games played immediately after a European  midweek game, as many as they had in their previous 34 (W21 D10). The last time the Citizens lost four  such matches in a single campaign was back in 2010-11. 

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