Chelsea face a frightening project on Sunday as they journey to the Etihad Stadium to tackle Manchester City within the Premier League, with the guests arriving with no everlasting head coach following Enzo Maresca’s departure.
The Blues haven’t crushed Pep Guardiola’s facet for the reason that 2021 Champions League ultimate, and Metropolis will likely be assured of extending that run as they chase floor within the title race.
Chelsea’s turbulent begin to the brand new yr continued on New 12 months’s Day, when Enzo Maresca was dismissed after 18 months in cost.
Regardless of delivering the Convention League and Membership World Cup, the Italian paid the worth for a run of two league wins in seven and declining home kind.
Throughout all competitions, Chelsea have gained simply twice of their final 9 matches, a downturn that would hardly have come at a worse time given this weekend’s journey to Manchester.
Though Chelsea sit fifth within the desk, the margins are positive. They’re stage on factors with Manchester United, just one level away from Sunderland, and inside touching distance of a cluster of sides beneath them, that means one other defeat might considerably dent their top-four ambitions.
Manchester Metropolis, in the meantime, noticed their six-match Premier League successful run halted by a goalless draw at Sunderland on Thursday. Regardless of dominating lengthy spells, Guardiola’s males have been unable to interrupt down a resilient Black Cats facet, permitting Arsenal to open up a four-point lead on the high of the desk.
Metropolis might discover themselves seven factors adrift by kick-off if outcomes go in opposition to them earlier within the weekend, growing the stress to safe most factors in opposition to a Chelsea facet in transition.
Workforce information for Manchester Metropolis v Chelsea
Manchester Metropolis welcomed Jeremy Doku again on Thursday and handed Rodri precious minutes, however the draw on Wearside got here at a value.
Savinho and Nico Gonzalez each picked up accidents and are doubts for Sunday’s contest.
They might be a part of Oscar Bobb, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic on the sidelines, whereas Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait Nouri stay away on the Africa Cup of Nations.
Erling Haaland failed to attain at Sunderland, however he has netted in three of his final 4 appearances in opposition to Chelsea and scored twice in his most up-to-date outing on the Etihad.
Chelsea will likely be with out Moises Caicedo, who serves a one-match suspension after selecting up his fifth reserving of the season. Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo and Jorrel Hato are additionally sidelined, whereas Marc Cucurella will likely be assessed.
Interim boss Calum McFarlane is anticipated to deploy Cole Palmer in a sophisticated midfield function, supported by Enzo Fernandez and Reece James.
Anticipated line-ups for Manchester Metropolis v Chelsea
Manchester Metropolis: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Silva, Rodri, Reijnders; Cherki, Foden; Haaland
Chelsea: Sanchez; Acheampong, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; James, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
The way to watch Manchester Metropolis v Chelsea: TV channel, on-line stream
Kick-off on Sunday is at 17:30 GMT (13:30 ET / 09:30 PT), with stay protection within the UK on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion.
By way of Now TV, Sky Sports activities prices £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Sky Sports activities memberships embrace entry to all 12 stay Sky Sports activities channels and Sky Sports activities+, which presents stay streams and a devoted channel.
Streaming is obtainable on an unlimited number of units by way of the Sky GO app.
The stats for Manchester Metropolis v Chelsea
• Manchester Metropolis are unbeaten of their final 11 matches in opposition to Chelsea in all competitions
• Chelsea haven’t gained on the Etihad Stadium since Might 2021
• Man Metropolis have gained 5 of their final six Premier League matches
• Chelsea have gained simply two of their final 9 video games in all competitions
• Metropolis have scored a minimum of twice in 4 of their final 5 dwelling league matches
• Chelsea are winless of their final three Premier League away video games
Prediction
Manchester Metropolis
3
–
0
Chelsea
Chelsea’s journey to the Etihad was all the time going to be tough, and the absence of a everlasting supervisor solely provides to the problem in opposition to one of many league’s most ruthless dwelling sides.
Manchester Metropolis ought to have an excessive amount of high quality and management for a weak Chelsea outfit.
