A crucial part of the top four race arrives at the Etihad on Saturday evening as Manchester City host Chelsea.
After starting the season so strongly, City looked on course to challenge for at least a fifth Premier League title. However, a notable collapse to close out 2024 has drastically changed the season.
While their domestic form has picked up in the new year, Pep Guardiola’s side are fifth in the table and a few points clear of their upcoming opponents in fourth. City go into Paris on Wednesday evening in Paris on Saturday and have put their Champions League status in doubt.
Chelsea enjoyed the week off after winning 3-1 – their first league win since Christmas – on Monday night. The Blues were seen as title contenders not long ago, but their indifferent run over the past month has seen them up again brought to the earth. They are fighting for a top four place with Enzo Maresca looking to improve on Mauricio Pochettino’s only season at the club.
City last appeared on the opening weekend of the season with a 2-0 win.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to Man City vs Chelsea in the Premier League.
Man City vs Chelsea H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Mannstadt | Chelsea |
|---|---|
PSG 4-2 MAN CITY – 22/01/25 | Chelsea 3-1 Wolves – 20/01/25 |
Ipswich 0-6 Man City – 19/01/25 | Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth – 14/01/25 |
Brentford 2-2 Man City – 14/01/25 | Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe – 11/1/25 |
Man City 8-0 Salford – 01/11/25 | Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea – 04/01/25 |
Man City 4-1 West Ham – 04/01/25 | Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea – 30/12/24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Sky Go UK, now Sky Go Extra, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD |
United States | peacock |
Canada | Fubotv Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
Egyptian prince of the city 🇪🇬👑 pic.twitter.com/iqu2owr9ml
– Manchester City (@Mancity) January 23, 2025
Man City have been strengthening quickly this winter, with all three newcomers up for debuts this weekend. Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis represent the Cityzens’ future, but Guardiola needs them now too.
There has been ongoing chopping and changes in defense due to injuries this season, and Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake have returned with fitness concerns. While the charts were forced at half-time against PSG on Wednesday, Ake was not visible at all. Both are doubtful for Saturday’s game, but John Stones could return to the starting lineup.
Lynchpin Rodri remains out of action alongside Oscar Bobb and Jeremy Doku. Kyle Walker is bound by Milan.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Stones, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Bernardo; Foden, de Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland.
Romeo Lavia is back on the sidelines and will not be in action against his former club on Saturday evening.
Lavia has joined Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badishile in the treatment room, with Mykhailo Mudryk suspended.
Levi Colwill and Enzo Fernandez were both absent on Monday evening and will be assessed before kick-off. Reece James is pushing for back-to-back Premier League titles having recently returned from injury.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup against Man City (4-3-3): Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Man City’s performance in Paris showed a team that remains vulnerable in the absence of their midfield superstar. The nature of their collapse would undoubtedly have affected Guardiola, but such capitulations have not exactly been unusual this season.
Maresca must believe he can get one over his former boss in Manchester this weekend, although Chelsea aren’t exactly coming into this game despite winning in that game on Monday night.
It will take a lot for City to bounce back from their week’s disappointment, but Chelsea are not in the best position to take advantage of Cityzen’s frailty. Both teams should enjoy the transition and the hosts may find something off the bench to pull it off.
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Chelsea
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