England Premier League
Saturday 17th February 2024
Kick off at 5:30pm GMT
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Match Preview:
By the time this game kicks off Manchester City could be trailing Liverpool by five points although they would have played two games less. City will simply be concentrating on themselves and their form has been fantastic as they try and win a historic 4 league titles in a row. In the champions last league game they beat Everton 2-0 thanks to two Erling Haaland goals and those were important and have given the Norwegian a taste of goal again after he missed two months of the season due to a foot injury. City had no problems in midweek in their Champions League knockout stage 1st leg match against Copenhagen and won 3-1. At home Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten although they have dropped points here by drawing three times but they have won 8 from 11 games played and have scored 29 goals in that time.
The last two weeks have eased the pressure on Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino who has seen his side knock Aston Villa out of the FA Cup and beat Crystal Palace away from home 3-1 after going a goal behind. But before then the club had shipped 4 goals against both Liverpool and Wolves. The Blues have simply not been good enough considering the quality they have although a constant long injury list has anchored the team. They come into this weekend in 10th place. Away from home has seen 50% of games lost with five won and they have the 9th best record in the league with 16 points won from a possible 36. Recent away form has seen two wins from their past three. However with 22 goals conceded they are nearly shipping two goals a game on the road.
Team News:
Manchester City: Jack Grealish is a doubt with a muscle injury, Mateo Kovacic will be assessed with his knee. Josko Gvardiol is out with an ankle injury and not due back for at least two weeks. Bernardo Silva will be assessed for a knock
Chelsea: Benoit Badiashile remains a major doubt to be ready for this match with a muscle injury. Marc Cucurella won’t return for at least two weeks with an ankle injury. Robert Sanchez will likely miss out again due to his knee injury and Thiago Silva has a groin injury and will need to be assessed. Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu all remain out long term
Man City vs Chelsea Head to Head:
Last season Manchester City won this fixture 1-0.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture the clubs were involved in a classic game which finished 4-4.
It’s been 8 games since Chelsea beat Manchester City but that was a huge game- the Champions League final.
There is a 70% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
Man City vs Chelsea Prediction:
Manchester City saw Liverpool and what they had to do against a good side in Chelsea a few weeks ago to keep up a title challenge. Make no mistake Chelsea have an awful lot of problems but they can play football and they can be a threat. We expect to see a very polished display from City though and that 4-4 game considering Chelsea kept coming back in that one felt like a loss for City and a small victory for Chelsea. City will have that on their minds and to avenge that result.
We expect to see plenty of chances for City but this is a game in which they need to take them, again the recent example is how Liverpool performed in what could have been a tricky tie. City have a good recent record over the Blues and we don’t see that changing because the defence for the away team is simply too leaky. If Chelsea were to win then put it down as one of the best results Pochettino has obtained in his career that is what this game would mean. We think that type of result at this stage of the season isn’t happening, not yet for this Chelsea side and that City will come out firing from the blocks at home.
Man City vs Chelsea Betting Tips:
Half Time/Full Time: Manchester City/Manchester City at 1.91
Anytime goalscorer: Erling Haaland at 1.57
Anytime goalscorer: Cole Palmer at 4.00
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