Prediction: Chelsea vs Manchester City

Verdict: Manchester City win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/4

Bookmaker: Luckster

In what will be a heavyweight showdown from Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City will travel to west London.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, getting a new era underway this summer as they officially appointed Enzo Maresca, the Blues have plenty of exceptions on their shoulders. However, although the Blues might have eventually dragged themselves to a top-six finish last season as they won each of their final five Premier League appearances, they have struggled to find any kind of stability during their pre-season preparations. Including an action-packed 4-2 defeat when they met Manchester City for a friendly showdown out in the United States on August 3rd, Chelsea claimed just a single victory from any of their six summer contests. Facing what appears to be a real uphill battle in the chase to book a Champions League return this year, Sunday’s hosts couldn’t have asked for a tougher opening weekend challenge here.

Team News

In what is a huge blow for the Blues, Chelsea have confirmed that defensive talisman Reece James will not feature on Sunday afternoon after the England international sustained a summer hamstring injury. However, despite dealing with a recent knock, Maresca’s side are hopeful that Axel Disasi can play some part this weekend.

Completing a £54million move from Wolves earlier in the week, former Wolves star Pedro Neto should make his Chelsea debut at Stamford Bridge. Enjoying what was a sensational maiden campaign in west London last season, Cole Palmer will play a leading role in the final third here.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, making even more history last season as they got their hands on a fourth consecutive Premier League crown, Manchester City have only further underlined their status as one of Europe’s ultimate poster boys. Signing off their epic title charge last year by winning all of their final nine top-flight appearances, the Sky Blues will be looking to lay down an early marker at Stamford Bridge. Securing a nail-biting penalties victory against bitter local rivals Manchester United at Wembley last weekend as they lifted the Community Shield in north London, Pep Guardiola’s side will also be excited by a rampant record against Sunday’s hosts. Including that 4-2 friendly win when they met Chelsea over in the United States on August 3rd, they are unbeaten in all of their last 10 straight showdowns across all competitions.

Team News

While Ederson might have been heavily linked with a blockbuster Middle Eastern switch this summer, the Brazilian shot-stopper has remained at the Etihad and should start between the sticks here. Completing what was a controversial move from sister club Troyes last month, Savinho could make his Premier League debut in west London.

Storming his way to yet another Premier League golden boot last season after notching 27 top-flight goals, striking sensation Erling Haaland will spearhead City’s charge at Stamford Bridge. In what should be a real blow for Guardiola’s side this weekend, midfield talisman Rodri is seen as a doubt.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Chelsea and Manchester City met for a pre-season friendly over in the United States on August 3rd, the Sky Blues secured a 4-2 victory.
• Likewise, Man City are unbeaten in all of their previous 10 meetings against Chelsea across all competitions.
• Guardiola’s men won all of their final nine consecutive Premier League appearances last season.
• Chelsea recorded just a single victory from any of their six pre-season appearances over the summer break.
• Norwegian record-breaker Erling Haaland recorded registered 27 goals in his 31 Premier League appearances last season.

Conclusion

Already pencilled in as a standout contender to make even more Premier League history this season, Manchester City will certainly be looking to make a serious opening weekend statement here. Clinching a lively 4-2 victory when they met Chelsea for a friendly showdown over in the United States on August 3rd, the Sky Blues hold a rampant record against Sunday’s hosts. Unbeaten in all of their previous 10 meetings across all competitions, we are backing Guardiola’s defending champions to get things underway with an early marker in west London.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/4

Bookmaker: Luckster