The Matchday 23 fixture 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.
Manchester City
The Mancunians are unbeaten in the league for five matches, with three wins and two draws. In the last round, the team thrashed Ipswich 6-0 away, securing their biggest win of the current league campaign. Pep Guardiola's side is currently in fifth place but is only two points shy of the Champions League zone.
The club recently signed another promising young defender, Vitor Reis from Palmeiras. However, defender Kyle Walker is leaving the club to join AC Milan. Note the injuries: forward Oscar Bobb, as well as defenders Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, and midfielder Rodri Hernandez.
- 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 league matches for the Citizens.
- 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 secured a long-awaited victory in the last round, defeating Wolverhampton 3-1 at home. Prior to that, 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 Enzo Maresca's side by just two points. Notably, Chelsea has scored as many goals as the Citizens (44), the third-highest tally in the Premier League.
Due to injuries, midfielder Romeo Lavia and defenders Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are unavailable. Forward Mykhailo Mudryk continues to serve a suspension for a failed doping test. Meanwhile, midfielder Renato Veiga is transferring to Juventus.
- 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, Manchester City's crisis seems to be over. In the last four Premier League matches, the club has claimed three wins and one draw, with two of those victories being by a large margin. Such results should restore confidence to Pep Guardiola's side, which is crucial as they face four consecutive matches against direct competitors for a Champions League spot.
Chelsea, although victorious in the last round, has yet to convince that they are ready to fight for a top-four finish. 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. Their last three away games in the Premier League were indicative: draws with Everton and Crystal Palace, and a loss to Ipswich. Enzo Maresca's side even dropped points against lower-tier teams, so they are unlikely to cope with Manchester City. Also noteworthy is that the Citizens have won 5 of the last 7 league meetings between the two teams (with two draws).
My prediction: Manchester City to win
