Chelsea host Manchester City on Saturday evening, knowing that they’ll have to halt Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut after losing away to Wolves in midweek. That defeat was their second in three Premier League matches and they’ve now slipped to fourth in the table, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. As for Manchester City, they’re still unbeaten, having won their last six consecutive matches, and are two points clear of Liverpool in second.
It’s worrying times for Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge. The defeat to Wolves in midweek meant that the Blues have won just two of their last five games in all competitions and Sarri is struggling to get the best out of some of his players, despite an excellent start to the season where they went 12 games without losing. What’s most worrying for Sarri is the decline in form of Eden Hazard. The Belgian had scored seven league goals by the first week of October, but has been on a barren spell of late, having not scored in 11 matches for club or country.
It took until January for City to lose in the Premier League last season and they’re looking just as dominant this time around. They’ve scored 45 goals already this season, averaging three per game, while they’ve conceded just seven goals, although two in their last two matches. Despite their dominance, they’re just two points ahead of Liverpool, but Jurgen Klopp will know that if his side lose any game, they’ll risk City running away with the title.
Chelsea vs. Manchester City Predictions
This is a worrying time for Chelsea and the one team they won’t want to play after losing in midweek is Manchester City. It’s hard to see them getting anything out of this game, especially as they’ve been poor defensively. City came and dominated at Stamford Bridge last year, despite only winning 1-0. If they play to the same standard again then it could end up being five or six.
Chelsea vs. Manchester City Betting Tips
- Manchester City to win 3-1: 14/1
- Raheem Sterling to score anytime: 7/4
- City to win and both teams to score: 2/1
Head to Head
- Chelsea haven’t won any of their last three games against Manchester City.
- Manchester City are unbeaten away from home this season, winning five and drawing two of seven games.
- Manchester City haven’t lost in their last 16 games.
- Chelsea and Manchester City have met on 42 occasions in the Premier League, with the Blues holding the bragging rights with 24 wins to City’s 11.
- 12 of those victories have come at Stamford Bridge, with City having won on four occasions when visiting the Blues, including their last visit in September 2017.
Chelsea Team News
Victor Moses is the only doubt for Saturday’s game as he’s suffering from a back injury. Sarri could be expected to rotate his squad, bringing Jorginho, David Luiz, Pedro and Olivier Giroud back into the first-team fold.
Possible Chelsea XI: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz, Marcos Alonso, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Eden Hazard, Olivier Giroud
Manchester City Team News
Sergio Aguero is a doubt after missing the game in midweek with a muscle injury. Gabriel Jesus has been deployed upfront in his absence. Vincent Kompany is also a doubt after suffering cramp in midweek, but he was unlikely to start. Benjamin Mendy is out after undergoing knee surgery, with Fabian Delph set to replace him. Kevin De Bruyne is nearing a return to full fitness, but is unlikely to play against his former team.
Possible Manchester City XI: Ederson Moraes, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Fabian Delph, Fernandinho, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus
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