Recent Form and Standings
Manchester City enters this fixture after a surprising 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, where they squandered a 2-0 lead. This loss has put their European campaign in jeopardy, leaving them needing a victory against Club Brugge in their final group match to secure progression, whilst it has also raised concerns about their defensive stability which Pep Guardiola has looked to strengthen with the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens. Going forward, Pep has also added Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush who has 20 goals this season in all competitions. In the Premier League, City currently sits in fifth place, just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Chelsea, on the other hand, recently ended a five-game winless streak with a 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite a dip in form during December, the Blues have shown resilience and are eager to maintain their position in the top four.
Historically, Manchester City have had the upper hand in recent Premier League encounters against Chelsea, remaining unbeaten in their last seven meetings, with five wins and two draws. Their last league defeat to Chelsea was a 2-1 loss at home in May 2021.
Injury News and Squad Updates
Manchester City faces defensive challenges, with Nathan Aké sidelined due to injury and Rúben Dias forced off at halftime against PSG due to illness. These absences could leave City’s defence vulnerable, especially against Chelsea’s pacey attackers and with Kyle Walker on his way to AC Milan. Matheus Nunes may again be asked to fill in at right back which could be a weakness for City.
Chelsea’s squad appears relatively healthy and we could see the return of Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill, both of whom missed the win over Wolves. The team will look to capitalize on any defensive frailties exhibited by City. Former City youth product Cole Palmer has been in exceptional form, averaging 0.92 expected goals plus assists per 90 minutes in Premier League play, making him a key player to watch back on his old stomping ground.
Predictions
This fixture promises to be an entertaining and closely contested battle between two Premier League heavyweights. While Manchester City will be eager to bounce back from their recent setback and leverage their home advantage, Chelsea’s rejuvenated form and attacking threats make them formidable opponents. City’s defensive injuries are also a worry and Chelsea’s attacking options should mean this match is a high-scoring affair. A draw has been suggested as a plausible outcome, with both teams likely to find the back of the net but the main man on the day may well be Cole Palmer. With space available to him, backing him to provide an assist offers good value. His familiarity with City’s setup could play to his advantage as well.
Player Assist a Goal – Cole Palmer Assist @ 7/2