Chelsea vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Liam Rosenior is under pressure at Stamford Bridge with the struggling Chelsea coach now taking on the experience of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Telemundo
Chelsea preview: Inconsistent Chelsea
Chelsea do come into this one on the back of a 7-0 demolition of League One strugglers Port Vale at Stamford Bridge in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last weekend with an emphatic victory overshadowing an often disjointed performance.
The Blues have won ten of their 20 games across all competitions since the appointment of Rosenior, with four of those against EFL clubs and only one real statement performance and win, coming against Aston Villa in early March.
Man City preview: Back-to-back wins
They now face a Manchester City side that have had plenty of false dawns in the last couple of years, during what has been a relative underperformance in comparison to previously dominant and relentless campaigns.
They will hope their last two games are not another one after they defeated Arsenal in the EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium before a 4-0 hammering of Liverpool in the cup last weekend.
Chelsea team news: Fernandez disciplinary issues
Enzo Fernandez was handed a two-match ban by the club after comments he made over the international break but, given it is an internal ban, we will be cautious and suggest he is still a doubt in case Liam Rosenior opts to indeed go back on that and select him.
Chelsea do have some key injury issues in the defensive third with Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill still sidelined alongside club captain Reece James.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Unavailable: Jorgensen (Injured), Chalobah (Injured), Colwill (Fitness), James (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Gittens (Injured)
Questionable: Badiashile (Illness), Fernandez (Disciplinary)
Man City team news: Dias still not back
It has been confirmed that Portugal international centre-back Ruben Dias will not yet be back for the clash with Chelsea as he is still missing through injury.
John Stones is still pushing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad after withdrawing from the England squad a couple of weeks ago and he still isn't in full training.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, O'Reilly; Rodri; Semenyo, Silva, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
Unavailable: Gvardiol (Injured), Dias (Injured)
Questionable: Stones (Injured)
Chelsea vs Man City prediction
Chelsea have become quite comical. Their frustratingly know-it-all approach in the transfer market is being undermined by continued stagnation on the pitch. On it, they have also shown a lack of discipline and a level of character that many would criticise, best shown by the Fernandez punishment. City may not be their consistent previous selves but they should still be confident of earning another win against one of the so-called 'big six' of the Premier League.
Chelsea vs Man City tip: Man City to win -1 handicap
