Manchester City face managerless Chelsea in a huge encounter in the Premier League’s title race.
Victory would return Man City to second in the table, whilst Chelsea can climb to fourth with a win if Liverpool lose at Fulham in the mid-afternoon kick-offs.
Team News
Man City manager, Pep Guardiola could hand Jeremy Doku and Rodri a start following their surprise returns from leg and hamstring injuries at Sunderland, as both clubs played out a goalless New Year’s Day draw on Wearside.
Savinho and Nico Gonzalez however were substituted with knocks and aren’t expected to be fit for selection.
John Stones (thigh), Rayan Ait-Nouri, Omar Marmoush (both international duty), Mateo Kovacic (foot) and Oscar Bobb (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Chelsea will hand Marc Cucurella and Jorrel Hato late fitness tests after the pair sat out the Blues’ 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, due to a hamstring injury and knock respectively.
Moises Caicedo is suspended after he picked up his fifth booking of the campaign in that game.
Romeo Lavia (quad), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on Sunday 4 January at 5:30pm GMT, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League channels in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City have avoided defeat in their last eight league meetings against Chelsea (W6, D2).
- Chelsea have won just one of their last seven league visits to Man City (W1, D1, L6).
- Erling Haaland scored in both of Man City’s two meetings against Chelsea last season (W2).
- Man City have won their last eight league games at home (W8), during which they kept five clean sheets.
- Two of Chelsea’s last three matches ended in 2-2 draws (D2, L1).
Prediction
Having been frustrated in a scrappy entertaining goalless draw at Sunderland where they just lacked the clinical defining final touch to beat Robin Roefs, City just need to reset and channel their annoyance into a ruthless display here if want to keep pace with their title rivals.
Chelsea meanwhile have a point to prove after Enzo Maresca’s sacking but they first must defend better because they were very sloppy against Bournemouth, even despite having came from behind to briefly lead with some clinical attacking press and movement.
I however can just see one result coming because Man City really should have too much quality for a Chelsea team whose defence is currently shaky.
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Chelsea
Result: Man City 1-1 Chelsea
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