Chelsea vs Manchester City Preview: Title-Chasing City Hunt Down Wobbly Arsenal

Manchester City travel to Stamford Bridge for a Sunday afternoon Premier League clash against Chelsea FC, with the two sides differing in ambitions as the season draws nearer to a close.

Liam Rosenior’s side are chasing Champions League qualification, battling with the likes of Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool FC and even Brentford FC, who are just two points behind the Blues.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side are trying to claw back a nine-point gap at the top of the table as they look to chase down a shaky Arsenal FC team in the Premier League run-in.

MATCH PREVIEW

Both teams had a successful weekend last time out as they progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Cup with emphatic victories.

Chelsea ended their dismal run of four straight defeats with a very comfortable 7–0 dismantling of League One outfit Port Vale FC at home last Saturday.

This has earned them a spot at Wembley Stadium, where they face Leeds United in late April. The victory has eased some pressure on Rosenior, following doubts over his long-term position after multiple defeats.

However, pressure is not fully relieved particularly after the situation involving Enzo Fernández. The Argentine midfielder’s comments regarding a potential move to Real Madrid led to a two-game suspension.

And the humiliating 8–2 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain before the international break, along with defeats to Everton and Newcastle, has not been forgotten, with Chelsea sitting one point adrift of the top five.

This contrasts with City’s recent upturn in form following their Champions League exit to Real Madrid.

Guardiola recently picked up his fifth Carabao Cup after his City side beat Arsenal in the final, sending a warning to the league leaders.

City will be looking for a third consecutive victory and clean sheet on Sunday, after a dominant 4–0 FA Cup win over Liverpool.

They too have progressed to Wembley and will face Southampton FC, who knocked out Arsenal.

With Guardiola’s sides often hitting peak form in the latter stages of the season frequently overtaking Arsenal in recent years this run-in gives City belief they can close the nine-point gap with just seven games remaining.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Chelsea travelled to the Etihad Stadium the last time these sides met in January, where they secured a late 1–1 draw.

The equaliser came from Enzo Fernández, though he will miss this fixture.

Manchester City enter the game with strong confidence, especially given their recent record unbeaten in 12 matches against Chelsea since the 2020/21 Champions League final.

Chelsea have suffered nine defeats and three draws since that victory, with City also completing the double over them last season.

TEAM NEWS

Rosenior will again be without several key players.

Enzo Fernández remains unavailable due to suspension.

Reece James is a major absentee due to a thigh injury, while Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill are also unavailable.

Jamie Gittens and Filip Jorgensen are out, though Benoît Badiashile could return from illness.

For Manchester City, defensive concerns remain.

Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol are unavailable, while John Stones is a doubt but could return.

History could be made for Bernardo Silva, who could become the most-capped Portuguese player in Premier League history (297 appearances).

Meanwhile, Erling Haaland will look to build on his recent hat-trick as he pushes for the Golden Boot.

PREDICTED LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI:

Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Neto, Palmer, Estevao; João Pedro

Manchester City XI:

Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Khusanov, O’Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Cherki, Doku, Semenyo; Haaland