Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
In what is a heavyweight Premier League showdown on Sunday evening, Manchester City will welcome Chelsea to the Etihad.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, putting in what was a toothless performance away at Premier League returners Sunderland earlier in the week as they eventually had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate at the Stadium of Light, Manchester City are desperately searching for an immediate response here. Watching their title dreams take a real blow and opening this weekend’s fixtures sat four points adrift of Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s men face what is a must-win showdown at the Etihad. Signing off 2025 with a 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest, the former Barcelona boss has not seen his squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions (eight wins, one draw). Conceding just a single domestic strike over the past month, Man City will be excited to make a return to home soil this weekend. In fact, the Sky Blues have won all of their last nine straight showdowns in the blue half of Manchester.
Manchester City Team News
Dealing with a recent hamstring injury and expected to complete a January move away from the Etihad, Norwegian youngster Oscar Bobb will miss out here. Likewise, both away at this month’s AFCON, the duo of Omar Marmoush and ex-Wolves defender Rayan Ait Nouri will play no part this weekend.
However, making a first appearance since the start of November away at Sunderland on New Year’s Day, former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri should get some more minutes under his belt. Croatia International Josko Gvardiol should be handed a full recall and could replace Nico O’Reilly.
Chelsea
As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have got their hands on a maiden Club World Cup crown over the summer, the Blues suddenly find themselves at the heart of a major crisis. Watching Enzo Maresca complete a messy divorce from the club following their 2-2 stalemate at home against Bournemouth earlier in the week, Sunday’s guests have come tumbling out of the Champions League spots. Suffering a major collapse in west London last weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home against Aston Villa, Chelsea have won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. With their extended issues underlined by a shock 3-1 drumming at the hands of relegation scrappers Leeds, the Blues have also recorded just a single Premier League win away from Stamford Bridge since the start of November.
Chelsea Team News
Shown what was a costly first-half booking at home against Bournemouth earlier in the week, Moises Caicedo will miss out through suspension here. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance so far this season, England international Levi Colwill will once again miss out at the Etihad.
Forced to settle for a spot on the bench in west London, summer recruit and former Brighton striker Joao Pedro should be handed a full recall. Bagging a third Premier League strike of the season in midweek, attacking talisman and ex-Manchester City starlet Cole Palmer will play a leading role in attack.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester City and Chelsea last met for a Premier League showdown back in January 2025, the Sky Blues collected a 3-1 victory at the Etihad.
- Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in their previous nine appearances across all competitions (eight wins, one draw).
- The Sky Blues have conceded just a single domestic strike over the past month.
- Still without a permanent replacement for Maresca in the dugout, Chelsea have won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
- Sunday’s guests have also recorded just a single Premier League win away from Stamford Bridge since the start of November.
Conclusion
Left disappointed earlier in the week as they eventually had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Premier League newcomers Sunderland, Manchester City are searching for an immediate response here. Looking to get their title dreams back on track, the Sky Blues will be excited to make a return to the Etihad this weekend. Meeting a Chelsea side that shockingly parted ways with Maresca just a matter of days ago and still searching for a permanent replacement, we are backing a home victory in the blue half of Manchester.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster