Manchester City meet Chelsea in a huge clash in the race for the Premier League’s top four.
Victory would see Man City climb to fourth unless Newcastle record a heavy win at Southampton to swing the goal difference in their favour.
Chelsea will stay fourth if they avoid defeat.
Team News
New signings, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush could make their debuts for Man City.
Ruben Dias is ruled out with an unspecified issue which saw him substituted at half-time in their midweek Champions League loss at PSG.
Nathan Ake (muscle), Jeremy Doku (unspecified), Oscar Bobb (leg) and Rodri (knee) remain ruled out.
Chelsea could welcome Levi Colwill and Enzo Fernandez back after the pair missed the Blues’ 3-1 win over Wolves due to knocks.
Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Romeo Lavia (muscle), Benoit Badiashile (thigh), Wesley Fofana and Omari Kellyman (both hamstring) are still ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on Saturday 25 January at 5:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City are unbeaten in their last seven league meetings against Chelsea (W5, D2).
- Chelsea have won one of their last seven league trips to Man City (W1, D1, L5).
- City have won two of their last three home league games against Chelsea by 1-0 results, except for a 1-1 draw in February 2024.
- Kevin De Bruyne, Doku and Erling Haaland have been caught offside more than any other Man City player in the top-flight this season, with the trio having each been offside on four occasions.
- No Chelsea player has been substituted on more occasions in the league this season than Nicolas Jackson (15).
Prediction
Having thumped Ipswich in their last league outing, Man City now have fresh questions after their midweek Champions League defensive meltdown at PSG from 2-0 up, which certainly showed that there are still defensive fragilities despite their improved form and has to be a worry coming into this huge game.
Khusanov and Reis therefore better have an immediate impact in defence if they start because City really need to ideally win this game, or they will be up against it for a top-four finish if their issues continue to prove problematic.
Chelsea meanwhile clinically dispatched Wolves in a dominant display even if the first half showed their continued inconsistency when it comes to maintaining high performance with another dip, which is something that they can’t afford to have here against a dangerous City attack.
Nevertheless I do feel that this could well be scrappy as neither will want to lose this game given how close the battle for fourth is currently, so a point apiece wouldn’t be surprising if Chelsea score first.
Prediction: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
Result: Man City 3-1 Chelsea
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