Still riding the high from Monday’s 4-1 London derby win away at Tottenham, Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea welcome the new league leaders and reigning champions Manchester City to Stamford Bridge this weekend.
As Chelsea look to find some consistency, they face the ultimate test against a City side eyeing a sixth straight win in all competitions.
Here is everything you need to know about Sunday’s match.
Chelsea vs Man City – Premier League Match Preview
Form
Chelsea: WDLWW
Chelsea have certainly had a tough time of things on the pitch since Todd Boehly took over the club last year.
But while the Blues have had more than their fair share of downs, the high of last week’s win over nine-man Spurs will be hard to top for some time.
Although the numerical advantage did help the visitors in that match, this win was possibly a sign of things to come for the west London side under Pochettino, who put their rivals under significant pressure throughout the match.
While Chelsea sit in 10th place in the Premier League, they are just three points behind the European places and have lost just once in their last seven games in all competitions.
That defeat to Brentford was a real dampener for the two-time Champions League winners, who seem to be building something promising under ‘Poch’.
Another man who seems to building something is summer signing Nicolas Jackson, who scored a hat-trick at Spurs. The Stamford Bridge faithful will be hoping that can be the start of a special run of form up front.
You can say that again, Nicolas 😅 pic.twitter.com/lozz5ocu6u
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 7, 2023
Manchester City: WWWWW
City are currently set on an even stronger trajectory. The treble winners have responded to their dip in form with a terrific spell, which has seen them win five successive games.
Among that five: a Champions League double over Young Boys, a derby demolition against Manchester United, a 6-1 humiliation of Bournemouth and an impressive win over Brighton.
Things are clicking right now for Pep Guardiola’s side, who are back at the top of the Premier League and have their place in the Champions League’s knockout stages secured.
Rodri’s return has been integral in this period, while John Stones was also influential; the latter was forced off in midweek with an injury that rules him out this weekend.
However, City are firing on all cylinders with some terrific form offensively too. Jeremy Doku is the name on everybody’s lips at the Etihad; he almost single-handedly took down Bournemouth last week, scoring once and assisting four times, continuing what has been a fantastic start to life at his new club for the Belgian.
⚽️ 1 goal
🅰️ 4 assists
➕ 3 bonus
💰 22 pointsJeremy Doku's #FPL Gameweek 11 haul was quite something 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/CoB0nCluDE
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) November 10, 2023
The league’s top scorer Erling Haaland is also in red hot form, scoring three braces in his last four appearances.
Last Meeting
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, May 21st 2023
The last time these sides met came at the end of last season – a historic one for Manchester City.
Guardiola’s men had already sealed the Premier League title – the first of their treble triumph – courtesy of a Nottingham Forest win over Arsenal, giving City the chance to celebrate on their final home match of the campaign.
An early goal from Julian Alvarez brought a jubilant Etihad to fever pitch.
While the Argentine also had a goal ruled out late on, Stefan Ortega saw plenty of action at the other end, keeping a Chelsea side out that had been enduring a treacherous term.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Disasi, Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, Gallagher; Palmer, Jackson, Sterling.
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Rodri, Bernardo, Alvarez; Foden, Haaland, Doku.
Who is the referee?
Anthony Taylor.
Is Chelsea vs Man City on TV?
UK and Ireland: Sky Sports Main Event
USA: NBC Sports
What time is kick-off?
Sunday 12th November, 16:30 GMT
Odds
Chelsea – 4/1
Draw – 27/10
Man City – 8/11
