The Matchday 23 clash in the Premier League between Manchester City and Chelsea will take place on January 25 at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City vs. Chelsea: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: John Brooks (England)
Matches – 10 (Premier League, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 53;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.3;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 20%.
Predicted lineups for Manchester City vs. Chelsea
Manchester City (3-2-4-1): Stefan Ortega – Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji – Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes – Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku – Erling Haaland.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez – Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Reece James – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Moises Caicedo – Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke – Nicolas Jackson.
Each team's starting lineup is based on their last match in this tournament.
Manchester City
The Mancunians are unbeaten in the league for five matches, securing three wins and two draws. In the last round, the team thrashed Ipswich away with a 6-0 victory, marking their largest win of the current season. Pep Guardiola's side is currently in fifth place, just two points shy of the Champions League zone.
The club recently signed another promising young defender. Vitor Reis joined from Palmeiras. Meanwhile, defender Kyle Walker is leaving for AC Milan.
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Manchester City's last 9 Premier League games.
- Both teams have scored in 6 of the last 8 matches for the Citizens in the league.
- Two or more goals have been scored in the first half in 10 of the club's last 12 Premier League encounters.
Chelsea
The Londoners claimed a long-awaited victory in the last round, defeating Wolverhampton 3-1 at home. Prior to this, the club had gone five consecutive league matches without a win (3 draws and 2 losses). This victory allowed them to return to the Champions League zone. However, Manchester City and Newcastle are close behind, trailing by just two points. Notably, Chelsea has scored as many goals as City (44), ranking third in scoring among all Premier League clubs.
Forward Mykhailo Mudryk continues to serve a suspension following a failed doping test.
- Both teams have scored in 14 of Chelsea's last 17 league games.
- At least three goals have been scored in 8 of Chelsea's last 11 Premier League matches.
Manchester City vs. Chelsea: Match Prediction
Judging by recent results, the crisis for the Mancunians seems to be over. In their last four Premier League matches, the club has secured three wins and a draw, with two of those victories being by a large margin. Such results should restore confidence to Pep Guardiola's side, which is crucial given that they face four consecutive matches against their closest rivals in the battle for a Champions League spot.
On the other hand, although Chelsea secured a win in the last round, they have yet to convince that they are ready to fight for a top-four spot. The team had a favorable schedule in their last six Premier League matches but only managed to defeat the club with the worst defense in the league. Chelsea's last three away matches in the Premier League are telling: draws with Everton and Crystal Palace and a loss to Ipswich. Enzo Maresca's side dropped points even against the underdogs, so it's unlikely they will cope with Manchester City. It's also worth noting that City has won 5 of the last 7 head-to-head league meetings (with two draws).
My prediction: Manchester City to win
Bournemouth
Nottingham Forest
Brighton and Hove Albion
Everton
Liverpool
Ipswich
Southampton
Newcastle United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arsenal
Crystal Palace
Brentford
Tottenham Hotspur
Leicester City
Aston Villa
West Ham United
Fulham
Manchester United
