Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge for the first time in 2023 as they welcome champions Manchester City this evening, and we are taking a comprehensive look ahead by putting together this guide, complete with the latest teams news, odds and a few of our own predictions.
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Chelsea vs Manchester City Preview
Graham Potter faces a tall order if he is to try and claw his side back in contention for a Champions League spot, and the former Brighton manager has won just four of his 11 league fixtures since taking over at the helm.
With their only recognised striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang misfiring and Armando Broja ruled out through injury, it befalls to the likes of attacking-midfielder-turned ‘false 9’ Kai Havertz to attempt to lead the line, while Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount have chipped in with goals to keep the Blues treading water and staying afloat.
However, their less than favourable run of form starting in October and extending right the way through to this moment in time has seen them slip all the way down to 10th – a far cry from their third-placed finish last season.
Throwback to @IlkayGuendogan's silky goal at Stamford Bridge in 2021! ⏮ pic.twitter.com/BmW359zyo1
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 5, 2023
Despite conceding just 18 goals in 16 games, which sees them ranked fourth among the best defences in the Premier League, they have only managed to find the net 20 times which is less than the likes of bottom-half dwellers Leeds and Leicester.
They welcome Manchester City who will be ruing the 1-1 draw at home to Everton last time out, which could have presented a golden opportunity to cut the gap with league leaders Arsenal. Nevertheless, a win this evening would move them with five points of the Gunners after they were held to a 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Tuesday.
Kick-Off Time: 20:00 GMT
RELATED: Chelsea Vs Manchester City Head-To-Head Record: Blues Edge Citizens Despite Recent Results
Where Can I Watch Chelsea vs Manchester City?
The fixture will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 18:30 GMT.
Chelsea vs Manchester City Prediction
Chelsea rank ninth when isolating home statistics, and Manchester City will take comfort in the fact they have scored just 12 goals in seven games in the process.
The Citizens are ahead of Chelsea when it comes to least goals conceded, with only Arsenal and Newcastle holding better records in the league this season. It is hard to see how and where Graham Potter’s side will be able to break down the hosts having managed to find the net just four times in their previous seven Premier League fixtures.
With that in mind we are agreeing with the prices across football betting sites and are expecting Pep Guardiola to push for all three points here given the implications it could have for the title race. The Spaniard masterminded home and away wins over Chelsea last season, both by a scoreline of 1-0, and we are expecting a similarly low scoring win given the host’s solid defensive record this year.
Our Prediction
- Manchester City to Win 1-0 @ 6.5/1 with BetUK
Chelsea vs Manchester City Teams News
Chelsea Team News
Graham Potter will once again be without long-term absentees N’Golo Kante and Reece James, but there is growing optimism that the Blues may welcome back Ruben Loftus-Cheek with the midfielder returned to the training field after nursing a calf injury.
Kepa will keep his place between the sticks with Edouard Mendy sidelined after picking up a shoulder injury, while it remains to be seen whether Potter will look to freshen up the midfield that struggled against Nottingham Forest. Mateo Kovacic may return to the starting line-up alongside Denis Zakaria, who has proven to be an emerging beacon of light during an otherwise dull run of form for the Blues.
Chelsea Predicted Line-Up: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Kovacic, Zakaria, Mount; Sterling, Pulisic; Aubameyang
Manchester City Team News
The visitors face a domestic cup double-header following this fixture, including an FA Cup tie with Chelsea, so attempting to decipher who Pep Guardiola will field this evening may prove difficult.
Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias are the only casualties on the list for City at this moment in time, and although they are both returning to fitness they are likely to be given more time to recover.
Joao Cancelo and Phil Foden have both been left out of the starting line-up in the two league games following the World Cup break, so it is likely they may feature here.
Manchester City Predicted Line-Up: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Cancelo; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Silva, Haaland, Foden
Chelsea vs Manchester City Odds
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