Preview: Manchester City vs Chelsea – prediction, team news, lineups
Guardiola and co must dust themselves down quickly as they prepare for a challenging run of Premier League fixtures against Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest – a run that may define their season as they pursue a top-four finish.
Man City have lost each of their last three Premier League games played immediately after a European midweek match, but they are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight encounters with Saturday’s opponents Chelsea (W5 D2).
After enduring a blip in form either side of the New Year (D2 L2), Chelsea have since won two and drawn one of their last three fixtures in all competitions, picking up four points across their last two Premier League home games against Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The West Londoners salvaged a point at the death in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, before beating Wolves 3-1 on Monday. Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke helped Chelsea end a five-match winless run in the Premier League and seal their 11th top-flight success of the campaign.
Although he felt that Chelsea “could have scored more” against Wolves, head coach Enzo Maresca is pleased to have seen his side climb back into the top four, two points ahead of Saturday’s opponents Man City in fifth whom they have struggled against in recent years.
Indeed, Chelsea have failed to win any of their last 10 meetings with the Citizens across all competitions (D2 L8) since beating Guardiola’s side 1-0 in the 2021 Champions League final, three weeks after they claimed their last Premier League win over Man City (2-1) at the Etihad.
Chelsea have actually collected more points away from home (21) than at Stamford Bridge (19) so far this season, but they head to the Etihad this weekend without a win in their last three games on the road (D2 L1), while they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 PL away matches against Man City and have failed to score on seven occasions during this run.
Manchester City Premier League form:
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Chelsea Premier League form:
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– Team News:
Man City defender Ruben Dias asked to be replaced at half time in the defeat to PSG and Guardiola has since confirmed that he will miss Saturday’s game due to an adductor injury. Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku (both unspecified), Oscar Bobb (fitness) and Rodri (ACL) all remain sidelined, while Kyle Walker is set to join AC Milan.
The Citizens have bolstered their squad with three new signings this week – Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis – and Guardiola has confirmed they are all in contention to make their debut against Chelsea having taken part in training, although it remains to be seen whether the Catalan will be tempted to start any of the trio.
Jack Grealish will be pushing to start after contributing to both of City’s goals in midweek as a substitute, but Guardiola will likely stick with Savinho on the left flank, while Kevin De Bruyne – who has scored five Premier League goals against former side Chelsea – could operate in behind central striker Erling Haaland.
As for Chelsea, Romeo Lavia (muscle), Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (thigh) and Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended) all remain unavailable for selection, while Levi Colwill (unspecified) and Enzo Fernandez (muscle) are both minor doubts and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Although Robert Sanchez has been directly responsible for making four errors leading to goals this season, including his latest against Wolves last time out, Maresca has defended his first-choice goalkeeper and may stick with him once again on Saturday. Filip Jorgensen is waiting in the wings if needed, though.
It remains to be seen whether Reece James will be fit to start back-to-back Premier League games, so Malo Gusto could be recalled at right-back, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could retain his starting spot in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo if Fernandez is not deemed fit to start.
Former City winger Jadon Sancho will be pushing to start ahead of either Madueke or Pedro Neto, while star playmaker Cole Palmer – another ex-City man – is set to continue in a central role in behind striker Nicolas Jackson.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
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