Manchester City vs Chelsea headlines a stacked Saturday of Premier League football.
The reigning champions will be desperate to get back to winning ways after slipping to a demoralising defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Chelsea are aiming to win at the Etihad for the first time since May 2021, although they did achieve a 1-1 draw in this fixture last season.
Read on as NetBet previews the massive top-flight fixture, complete with football betting tips and odds to help with your sport bet.
And if you believe in your predictive skills, try out our free-to-play Correct Score Predictor and be in with a chance of winning huge prizes!
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Saturday, January 25, 5.30pm
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Live on Sky Sports
Manchester City vs Chelsea Preview
Wednesday evening was yet another bad one in City’s chaotic 2024-25 season.
The Citizens took a 2-0 lead in the second half at the Parc des Princes, but capitulated once again to lose 4-2 and leave their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.
It is a result which has eradicated the positivity gained from the 6-0 win at Ipswich last time out in the Premier League and the January signings of Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov – who all could feature in Saturday’s matchday squad.
What is more, the shocking defensive display from Rodri-less City at PSG will have provided the likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson with additional confidence for the trip to Manchester.
The Blues are the joint-second highest scorers in the division this season, level with City, boasting an array of attackers who can wreak havoc on any side, let alone one struggling with the basics.
Enzo Maresca’s men had been in poor form prior to Monday’s 3-1 victory over Wolves, going without a win in five league matches, a run which included defeats to Fulham and Ipswich.
But the performance against Wolves was a timely reminder of Chelsea’s quality and with the welcome extra days of rest, the West Londoners should really fancy their chances of moving five points clear of City in the table and consolidating a place in the Top 4.
When the two sides met at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the season, City strolled to a 2-0 victory.
However, now that Maresca has had time to instill his methods and tactics, this fixture could play out very, very differently.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Despite the loss to PSG, inconsistent City open as the favourites here at odds of 2.03 for the win. Chelsea are priced at 3.15, while the draw is 3.94.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Betting Tips
Over 3.5 goals in the match @ 1.96
With the likes of Palmer, Jackson, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne set to take to the field on Saturday, expect final third action. These two sides have also conceded the most goals among teams in the Premier League’s current Top 7, with City shipping 29 and Chelsea 27.
Cole Palmer OR Phil Foden to score anytime @ 1.71
In the battle between two of England’s young stars, we cannot see how at least one of them does not deliver a big moment. Palmer has scored 14 goals in the Premier League this season, while Foden has back-to-back top-flight braces.
Chelsea to be winning at half-time, full-time result a draw @ 10.00
With the extra rest, we fancy Chelsea to come flying out the blocks to establish a lead by half-time. But City’s attacking quality and depth can rise to the fore in the second period to provide us with an entertaining, goal-filled draw. A 2-2 scoreline (also odds of 10.00) could be on the cards…
Manchester City Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, Savinho, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland
Injuries/Doubts: Rodri, Bobb, Ake
Suspensions: None
Chelsea Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella, Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
Injuries/Doubts: Colwill, Fernandez, Lavia, Fofana, Badiashile, Kellyman
Suspensions: Mudryk
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