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Man City vs Chelsea Preview: Team News & Prediction

by Trystan Pugh · January 4 2026, 04:20
Man City vs Chelsea Preview: Team News & Prediction

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

Man City entertain manager-less Chelsea at the Stadium of Light in Sunday's standout Premier League fixture. 

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – NBC

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Peacock Premium

Man City team news

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Bernardo, Rodri, Foden; Cherki, Haaland, Doku

Unavailable: Stones (Injured), Ait-Nouri (International duty), Kovacic (Injured), Marmoush (International duty), Doku (Injured), Bobb (Injured)

Questionable: Gonzalez (Injured), Savinho (Injured)

Chelsea team news

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro

Unavailable: Colwill (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Caicedo (Suspended), Essugo (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary)

Questionable: Hato (Injured), Cucurella (Injured)

Man City vs Chelsea prediction

Man City lost vital ground in the title race when they were held to a goalless draw by promoted side Sunderland last time out, and Pep Guardiola knows his side cannot afford many more slip-ups given how frequently table-toppers Arsenal are picking up wins.

They entertain a Chelsea side who parted ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day, with the Italian's relationship with senior figures at the club having become irreparable.

Maresca's final game in charge was the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, and the Blues are currently winless in their last three premier League games.

It remains to be seen what effect Maresca's departure will have on the Chelsea players, with under-21 coach Calum McFarlane set to take temporary charge for this fixture.

What seems certain is that Guardiola will be demanding a big response from his Man City players after the disappointment at the Stadium of Light, and we're backing them to defeat a Chelsea side in a state of flux.

Man City vs Chelsea tip: Man City to win

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