The Premier League returns to the fold on the weekend, with a highly-anticipated top-of-the-table clash opening the action on Saturday, as the league leaders Manchester City take on the second-placed Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in the early kickoff at 15:30.
Manchester City have made a solid campaign in their defence to their title, with the club suffering just two defeats from their 21 league matches, while claiming 17 victories and two draws in the process to collect 53 points, which have left them sitting at the summit of the table with 10-points in the clear. They took advantage of their title contender’s recent slumps to increase the gap between them and their rivals.
They opened 2022 strongly with two consecutive victories across all competitions, first edging out Arsenal with a 2-1 win at the Emirates on New Year’s Eve in a controversy-filled encounter, with Riyad Mahrez and Rodri’s efforts cancelling out first-half opener from Arsenal’s sensation Bukayo Saka, before the champions surprised us all by putting out an incredibly strong team for the FA Cup tie against a League Two outfit Swindon Town.
However, that sealed their place in the next stage as they came out with 4-1 success on Friday night. The win marked City’s seventh victory in a row across all competitions, claiming four clean sheets and scoring 25 goals while conceding just five in the run.
In the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s side are on a good run as they have won in all their last 11 top-flight matches making the most dangerous side in the Premier League right now and will be looking to extend that form on Saturday, but will take nothing for granted against title-challenging opponents who will desperate for the three points in the clash.
Indeed, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea find themselves in a win or burst situation on Saturday as they need maximum points if they are to have any hopes of catching the champions. Both Chelsea and Liverpool looked like they would challenge City closely this season but have both hit slumps in the road recently, with Chelsea dropping points in five of their last seven Premier League matches, with four draws and a defeat.
However, Tuchel’s side have been preparing for this encounter strongly as the capital club head into the match on the back of a three-match winning streak across all competitions, knocking both Tottenham and Chesterfield out of the EFL Cup and FA cup respectively and will be looking to build on their cups success with a win that will keep their Premier League title hopes alive.
Manchester City vs Chelsea head to head
Both sides have met in 57 encounters with Chelsea claiming 29 victories while Man City have claimed 21 victories and there have been seven draws.
- Chelsea 0-1 Man City 25/09/21
- Man City 0-1 Chelsea 29/05/21
- Man City 1-2 Chelsea 08/05/21
- Chelsea 1-0 Man City 17/04/21
- Chelsea 1-3 Man City 03/01/21
Home
- Swindon 1-4 Man City
- Arsenal 1-2 Man City
- Brentford 0-1 Man City
- Man City 6-3 Leicester City
- Newcastle 0-4 Man City
Away
- Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea
- Chelsea 5-1 Chesterfield
- Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
- Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool
- Chelsea 1-1 Brighton
Man City team news
Man City will be without John Stones through an injury and Riyad Mahrez who remains on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Algeria.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea will be without both their wingbacks Ben Chilwell and Reece James through injuries, while Edouard Mendy is unavailable as he is representing his national team in the AFCON.
Prediction and odds
- Draw
- Goals under 2.5
- Double chance
