BETTING GUIDE: Manchester City vs Chelsea, match preview, team news and betting tip
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 03.01.26. | 18:10
At the Etihad, Chelsea have not won since May 2021, and City have scored in 21 of their last 22 Premier League games against the Blues
Manchester City host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday as the Premier League reaches Matchday 20, with the champions firmly in the title race and the visitors arriving amid major turbulence.
Kick-off comes in the early evening at 8:30p.m East African Time.
This fixture already carries a steep challenge for Chelsea as the midweek dismissal of Enzo Maresca strengthens City’s bid for three points.
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Manchester City enter this clash sitting second in the Premier League table with 41 points from 19 matches, four points behind leaders Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s side had been riding a six-game league winning streak, before being held to a 0-0 draw away at Sunderland in midweek, a result that briefly slowed their momentum.
Even so, City’s recent form remains formidable.
Across their last five matches in all competitions, they have scored ten goals and conceded just one, underlining their control and defensive stability.
Returning to the Etihad should sharpen them further, as City have won their last eight home league matches, scoring at least three goals in seven of those games.
At home, City have been relentless.
Their average of over three goals per game at the Etihad this season highlights how difficult they are to contain, particularly against sides struggling for structure.
Injury-wise, Guardiola does have concerns, with Savinho and Nico González joining a growing list that includes John Stones, Mateo Kovačić and Oscar Bobb, while Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri are away at AFCON.
Nevertheless, the core remains intact. Erling Haaland leads the line and, despite failing to score at Sunderland, has five goals in his last five competitive games and a strong record against Chelsea.
Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki are expected to support from advanced areas, with Rodri continuing to dictate tempo in midfield.
Chelsea, meanwhile, travel north in fifth place with 30 points, but their league position masks growing instability.
They have just one win in their last seven Premier League matches, drawing four and losing twice, and their overall form across all competitions shows two wins in nine.
In their last five matches, Chelsea have scored ten goals but conceded seven, reflecting attacking promise undermined by defensive lapses.
Away from home, results have dipped further, with winless runs and an increasing tendency to concede multiple goals.
The managerial change adds another layer of uncertainty.
Interim boss Calum McFarlane takes charge with key absences to manage.
Moisés Caicedo is suspended, depriving Chelsea of their main midfield shield, while Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia remain sidelined.
Marc Cucurella is also a doubt.
Chelsea’s hopes will rest heavily on Cole Palmer’s creativity and moments of quality from wide players like Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho.
However, without midfield balance and against City’s pressing structure, sustaining control will be difficult.
Head-to-head history strongly favours the hosts. Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Chelsea in all competitions, winning the last two league meetings by a two-goal margin.
At the Etihad, Chelsea have not won since May 2021, and City have scored in 21 of their last 22 Premier League games against the Blues.
Key betting pointers;
City have won seven of their last eight home league games by a 2+ goal margin.
City scored 3+ goals in seven of their last eight home Premier League matches.
Chelsea conceded 2+ goals in three of their last five away games.
Chelsea lost both their Premier League matches last season against City, both by a two-goal margin.
With City needing a response after dropping points midweek and Chelsea arriving managerless and defensively stretched, the balance heavily favours the home side.
The Etihad has been a fortress, and Chelsea’s recent struggles in this fixture suggest another difficult afternoon.
Prediction; Manchester City -1 European Handicap
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