Prediction: Manchester City vs Chelsea

Verdict: Manchester City win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 17/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to extend on their stellar purple patch, Manchester City will welcome Chelsea to the Etihad on Saturday evening.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have a real battle on their hands in their bid to make more Premier League history in 2024, Pep Guardiola’s men have hit top gear at a crucial time. In the midst of what has been a stellar purple patch and firing on all cylinders, the former Barcelona boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Picking up a Champions League first-leg advantage on foreign soil in midweek as they secured a 3-1 victory against Copenhagen, the Sky Blues have won all of their previous 11 straight appearances across all competitions. With that extended flurry stemming all the way back to a 2-2 stalemate against Crystal Palace back on December 16th, Manchester City will be looking to make another statement of intent here. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat just two points adrift of climbing back to the top of the Premier League table, Guardiola’s superstar squad are rightfully tipped as a standout contender on Saturday evening.

Team News

Limping off against Copenhagen earlier in the week, Manchester City will be without England international Jack Grealish on Saturday evening. Likewise, still dealing with a recent knock, former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic is once again seen as a major doubt here.

Bagging a Premier League brace against Everton last weekend and already recording 16 top-flight strikes this season, attacking talisman Erling Haaland will spearhead City’s charge at the Etihad. Likewise, notching eight goals in his previous nine appearances across all formats, Phil Foden will join Haaland in the final third.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, mounting a stellar comeback away at Crystal Palace earlier in the week as they eventually landed a 3-1 victory, Chelsea are now desperate to find some crucial stability. However, although the Blues might have secured back-to-back domestic victories over the past fortnight, it is no secret that Mauricio Pochettino has found some mounting pressure on his shoulders in west London. Almost sat in Premier League limbo and needing a minor miracle in their bid to punch a crucial European return in 2024, the former Tottenham boss will be bracing himself for a heavyweight challenge on Saturday evening. Although Chelsea might have snatched a stunning 4-4 stalemate when they welcomed City to Stamford Bridge back on November 12th, they do hold a downbeat record against the defending champions. In fact, Pochettino’s men have collected just a single point from their previous five Premier League meetings.

Team News

Still dealing with a stacked injury list at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will travel to Manchester without the likes of Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia and England international Reece James. However, overcoming a recent knock, Levi Colwill could make a first Premier League start since January 13th.

Continuing to shine since making the move from Manchester City last summer, Cole Palmer will have a leading role to play when he returns to the Etihad on Saturday evening. Bagging three goals in his back-to-back appearances over the past fortnight, Conor Gallagher will once again lead Pochettino’s side out this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester City and Chelsea met for their reverse Premier League meeting on November 12th, Saturday’s opponents played out a stunning 4-4 draw.
• The Sky Blues have collected 13 points from their previous five Premier League meetings against Chelsea.
• The defending champions have won all of their previous 11 straight appearances across all competitions.
• Chelsea have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous 11 straight showdowns away from Stamford Bridge.
• Erling Haaland has notched 16 Premier League goals in his 18 top-flight appearances this season.

Conclusion

While Chelsea might have collected back-to-back domestic victories over the past week, Pochettino’s inconstant squad couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge here. With Manchester City winning all of their previous 11 straight appearances across all competitions, Saturday’s hosts are riding a stunning wave of momentum since returning from November’s international break. Mustering 13 points from their previous five Premier League showdowns against Chelsea, we are expecting what could be an enjoyable home victory this weekend.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 17/10

Bookmaker: Luckster