Manchester City are unbeaten in ten meetings with Chelsea, winning eight of them, their most-recent defeat coming in the Champions League Final four years ago; the Blues are without a win in five visits to the Etihad, their longest winless streak in East Manchester since 1961.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Preview
Few would've forecast that, 22 games into this campaign, Chelsea would kick off two points clear of Manchester City, making this a crucial clash in terms of Champions League qualification. In this season's Champions League, the Sky Blues suffered yet another set-back on Wednesday night, leaving them on the brink of an ignominious early exit. In mid-week, Man City were 2-0 up at Parc des Princes, thanks to quick-fire goals from Jack Grealish and then Erling Braut Håland, seemingly set for a statement win.
On the contrary, Pep Guardiola's team completely collapsed after that, conceding four times in under 40 minutes, thereby beaten 4-2 by Paris Saint-Germain, suffering a third successive away defeat in Europe. As a result, the Citizens are now down in 25th in the table, knowing that failure to beat Club Brugge at home this forthcoming Wednesday would see them crash out. Back in the Premier League, recent wins over Leicester, West Ham and, most-recently, Ipswich have propelled Man City up to fifth, although this clash, followed by games against Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool and Spurs in February, will be a sterner tests of their credentials.
Thus, Chelsea supporters traveling to Manchester on Saturday will do so full of belief. On Monday night, the Blues belatedly brought to an end their five-game winless streak in the Premier League, beating Wolves 3-1 at Stamford Bridge; Tosin Adarabioyo breaking the deadlock, before two goals in five minutes from Marc Cucurella and then Noni Madueke secured the points. Enzo Maresca's side won five on the spin before then failing to win five successive matches, finally ending this sequence, so Chelsea fans will be hoping this is the start of another winning run, as they seek to get back into the Champions League. The Blues' last win at the Etihad, in front of fans, came in December 2016, the most-recent year they'd go onto be champions, but a repeat of that 3-1 victory certainly isn't beyond the realms of possibility come Saturday evening.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 179.
- Manchester City Wins: 67. Draws: 41. Chelsea Wins: 71.
Manchester City Team News
The champions have spent big this month, completing the signings of Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush this week, so will any debut here? John Stones did come off the bench in Paris but, with Rúben Dias and Nathan Aké doubts, at least one of the two new defenders could be thrown straight in. In goal, Ederson has started the last two matches, albeit it's hard to know whether he or Stefan Ortega is Pep Guardiola's number one, considering he keeps chopping and changing. Lastly, out-wide, Jack Grealish finally scored from open-play for the first time in 403 days against PSG, so could he return to the XI, or will Savinho once again get the nod?
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Nunes, Akanji, Khusanov, Gvardiol; Kovačić, Silva, Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Håland.
Manchester City Player to Watch vs Chelsea
Erling Braut Håland now has 23 goals to his name this season, while he's previously netted three times against Chelsea, on target in the reverse fixture, so will he add to his tally?
Chelsea Team News
Centre-backs Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Benoît Badiashile, as well as first-choice midfield duo Enzo Fernández and Roméo Lavia, are sidelined, hence why Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made his full-Premier League debut for the club on Monday, set to partner Moisés Caicedo once again. At the back meantime, having been abruptly recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, Trevoh Chalobah was thrown straight into the team against Wolves, while Reece James made a rare start at right-back, but will Malo Gusto return this time? Lastly, out-wide, Enzo Maresca is likely to once again give Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke the nod, chosen over Jadon Sancho.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (4-3-3): Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall, Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson.
Chelsea Player to Watch vs Manchester City
Cole Palmer, of course, will be at the centre of attention against his former side, so can he add to his 14 goals so far this season?
Manchester City vs Chelsea Prediction
This clash is tough to call, so we're sitting on the fence and forecasting a draw, although those tuning in on Saturday evening will do expecting to see goals: Manchester City 2-2 Chelsea.
Manchester City vs Chelsea FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Manchester City vs Chelsea Premier League game on TV channel?
Manchester City vs Chelsea Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League & Ultra HD
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch Manchester City vs Chelsea Premier League game on live streaming?
Manchester City vs Chelsea Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV.
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Manchester City vs Chelsea in the Premier League?
Man City vs Chelsea takes place on Saturday 25 January 2025, with kick off at 17:30 (GMT), 12:30 (EDT) & 9:30 (PST).