Manchester City

vs

Chelsea

Preview

Manchester City

• City have won both Premier League clashes with Chelsea during the 2024 - 26 cycle (3-1 H in Jan 2025, 2-0 A in Aug 2024).
• City are on a nine-game winning streak across all competitions, scoring 11 times in their last three league matches.

Chelsea

• Chelsea are probably fifth with around 30 and battling to stay in the top-four.
• Maresca’s side play from a 4-3-3 base and are more methodical in the way they build up their play and use the ball in possession.
• They will attempt to overload the center of the field and keep the ball in order to keep City at bay.

Head-to-Head

• In terms of their overall head-to-head, Chelsea narrowly lead.
• The last three league meetings have produced 15 goals, underlining the fixture's explosive potential.

Manchester City

• Rodri’s return to fitness has given Guardiola more control in the center of the pitch.
• Erling Haaland is the best goal scorer in the world and has just reached 100 Premier League goals in record time.
• Phil Foden has been in a purple patch throughout December, creating goals and scoring them.
• Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol have also chipped in with goals from defenders.
• Recent City form:
  • Sunderland 0-3 City
  • West Ham 0-3 City
  • Fulham 4-5 City

Chelsea

• Cole Palmer is the creative heartbeat of Chelsea’s team.
• Moisés Caicedo, if he plays, will be a key player as their ball-winning midfielder and the discipline that underpins the Chelsea structure.

Betting Insights

• City are 1.63 favorites to beat Chelsea at the Etihad on Sunday.
• Chelsea are 4.6 outsiders and the draw is priced at 4.2.
• BTTS is coming in at 1.53 - suggesting it’s a strong expectation that both teams will score.
• It should be a thrilling contest, nonetheless, with the potential for plenty of goals.

Prediction

• It is a massive game for both clubs and a close game can’t be ruled out, but City are in such red-hot form that they are likely to find a way to edge it.
• Expect a tactical battle between Pep Guardiola and Enzo Maresca and a high-tempo, goal-filled game.