Manchester City host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in a Premier League encounter heavily influenced by Chelsea’s sudden managerial crisis.
City go into the match as clear favourites following the unexpected exit of Enzo Maresca earlier in the week which has left the visitors without a permanent head coach.
Match Facts and Talking Points
Manchester City won the fixture in 58.5 percent of 10,000 simulations carried out by the Opta supercomputer.
Pep Guardiola’s men have won eight consecutive Premier League home matches with three or more goals scored in seven of those games.
Chelsea have already dropped 15 points from winning positions this season equaling their total from the entire 2024 25 campaign.
Chelsea Facing Uncertainty
Maresca’s departure on Thursday came as a shock despite growing frustration around performances at Stamford Bridge. The Italian became the first Premier League manager to leave his role on New Year’s Day.
Although he was named Manager of the Month for November Chelsea managed only one league win in his final seven matches in charge.
His last outing ended in a 2 2 draw against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea conceded over three expected goals. Bournemouth have struggled for victories but have still taken points from Chelsea twice in recent weeks.
While Chelsea were not tipped as title challengers the 15 point gap to leaders Arsenal halfway through the season raises concerns especially after winning the Club World Cup and investing heavily in a young squad.
Liam Rosenior is currently the leading candidate to take over on a permanent basis. For now Calum McFarlane will oversee the team as caretaker for the trip to Manchester.
City Looking to Close the Gap
Manchester City were held to a goalless draw by Sunderland on New Year’s Day a result that allowed Arsenal to open a four point lead at the top of the table.
Rodri’s return at half time restored control in midfield as he dominated possession and passing statistics despite only playing one half. Even so the draw ended City’s eight match winning run in all competitions.
Their home form remains formidable with City scoring freely in front of their own fans and winning each of their last eight league matches at the Etihad.
Chelsea’s Uphill Task
Chelsea’s recent record against City offers little optimism. They have failed to beat City in their last eight Premier League meetings and have managed just three wins in their last 16 league visits to the Etihad.
Containing Erling Haaland will be key. The striker has scored 11 Premier League goals at home this season including five matches with at least two goals.
Chelsea will be without Moises Caicedo due to suspension while Marc Cucurella is again sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Team Updates
City have fitness concerns over Savinho and Nico Gonzalez who both picked up knocks against Sunderland. Rodri is expected to start while Jeremy Doku is also pushing for a bigger role.
Rayan Ait Nouri and Omar Marmoush remain unavailable due to their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Head to Head
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games against Chelsea.
City have scored in 21 of their last 22 league meetings with the Blues.
Chelsea last kept a league clean sheet against City in 2018.
Prediction
The Opta model gives Manchester City a 59 percent chance of victory while Chelsea are rated below 20 percent. A draw is considered the least likely outcome.
Given City’s dominance at home and Chelsea’s off field issues a home win looks the most realistic result.
Probable Lineups
Manchester City
Donnarumma Nunes Dias Gvardiol O’Reilly Bernardo Rodri Foden Cherki Doku Haaland
Chelsea
Sanchez Acheampong Fofana Chalobah Gusto James Enzo Neto Palmer Garnacho Joao Pedro
Head coaches
Pep Guardiola
Calum McFarlane caretaker
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