Manchester City and Chelsea meet at the Etihad Stadium for a key Premier League fixture as the season moves into the new year. City return home after a goalless draw against Sunderland and will be targeting a response, knowing they need three points to keep pace at the top of the table.
Chelsea travel to Manchester following the departure of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day. The club is expected to continue without a permanent head coach for this game, with Under-21s manager Calum McFarlane likely to oversee preparations and matchday duties. The Blues have managed just one win from their last seven league matches.
Here’s a full betting preview from AllSportsPeople with predictions and top tips for the Premier League clash, as well as how to claim 50/1 odds for a goal to be scored (regular odds 1/200).
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Manchester City vs. Chelsea prediction: Who will win?
Manchester City head into this clash as clear favourites, given their strong home record and Chelsea’s ongoing struggles for consistency. City’s control in midfield and goal threat up front should prove decisive, while Chelsea may find it hard to cope without stability on the touchline. A home win looks the most likely outcome.
Our Prediction: Man City 3-1 Chelsea (12/1 Bet365)
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Head-to-Head: Man City vs. Chelsea
- Manchester City and Chelsea have met 167 times across all competitions, with City edging the overall record with 64 wins to Chelsea’s 62
- Man City are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League meetings with Chelsea, winning six and drawing two, which equals their longest league run without defeat against the Blues
- Chelsea have won just three of their last 16 away league games against City, after previously winning four consecutive visits between 2005 and 2008
- City have beaten Chelsea in every competition since the 2021 Champions League final, including both Premier League meetings last season by an aggregate score of 5-1
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Man City vs. Chelsea form Guide
Man City — Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Sunderland 0-0 Man City (Premier League)
- Nottingham Forest 1-2 Man City (Premier League)
- Man City 3-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
- Man City 2-0 Brentford (EFL Cup)
- Crystal Palace 0-3 Man City (Premier League)
Chelsea – Last 5 matches (Premier League)
- Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth (Premier League)
- Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa (Premier League)
- Newcastle United 2-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
- Cardiff City 1-3 Chelsea (EFL Cup)
- Chelsea 2-0 Everton (Premier League)
Man City vs. Chelsea Betting Tips
Manchester City look a strong betting option given their recent dominance in this fixture and Pep Guardiola’s impressive record against Chelsea. City’s home form adds further confidence, especially with Erling Haaland thriving at the Etihad, where he has already scored 11 league goals this season and regularly delivers multi-goal performances.
Chelsea’s tendency to drop points from winning positions is a concern, particularly away from London where their key attacking threat has been quieter. Cole Palmer’s goals have all come in the capital in recent months, which tilts value toward City-focused markets, including a home win and Haaland to score. The double (player to score and win market) is 3/4 on BetVictor.
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Man City vs. Chelsea Team News, Injury List
Man City Team News
- Rodri is pushing for his first start since October after impressing off the bench against Sunderland.
- Josko Gvardiol is close to returning after featuring on the bench on New Year’s Day.
- Jeremy Doku is expected to come in for Savinho, who is nursing a knock.
- Nico Gonzalez will be assessed, while Mateo Kovacic, Oscar Bobb and John Stones remain on the City injury list.
- Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri are unavailable due to Africa Cup of Nations commitments.
Chelsea Team News
- Moises Caicedo is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, a significant miss in midfield.
- Marc Cucurella, Jorrel Hato, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia remain injury doubts ahead of the trip but the Blues are most hopeful about Cucurella.
- Levi Colwill is a long-term absentee following ACL surgery in August.
- Andrey Santos is a possible replacement for Caicedo, though Reece James could also be deployed in midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez.
Man City vs. Chelsea Lineups: Predicted Starting XI's
This is how we expect Manchester City and Chelsea to line up for the clash, with City likely to stick to their attacking 4-3-3 built around control and width, while Chelsea set up in a 4-2-3-1.
Man City predicted lineup to play Chelsea
Man City (4-3-3)
Donnarumma (GK); Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Silva, Rodri, Reijnders; Cherki, Haaland, Foden
- Injured: Kovacic, Stones, Bobb
- Doubtful: Savinho, Gonzalez
- Unavailable: Ait-Nouri, Marmoush (AFCON)
Chelsea predicted lineup to play Man City
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Sánchez (GK); Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Fernández; Estevão, Palmer, Neto; Pedro
- Suspended: Moises Caicedo
- Doubtful: Marc Cucurella, Jorrel Hato, Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia
- Long-term absentee: Levi Colwill
Man City vs. Chelsea Odds: Who is the favourite to win?
- Man City to Win: 4/6 Coral
- Chelsea to Win: 38/10 10bet
- Draw: 15/4 Bet365
Bet Builder Tips: Man City vs. Chelsea
Our favourite bet builder for Man City vs. Chelsea is a home win, Haaland to score anytime and Bernardo Silva to be carded, which came to overall odds of 10/1 on Bet365 at the time of writing.
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How to watch Man City vs. Chelsea: Live stream, TV channel
Here's all the key information on how to watch Man City vs. Chelsea tonight.
- Date: Sunday, January 4
- Venue: Etihad Stadium
- Time: 5:30 p.m GMT
- TV/Stream: Sky Sports