Chelsea’s trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday was already shaping up to be one of the toughest assignments of their season, but the task has become even more severe following the dismissal of Enzo Maresca. Manchester City enter this Premier League gameweek 20 fixture as strong favourites, with history and current form firmly on their side against a Chelsea team arriving without a permanent manager.
The Blues have not beaten Pep Guardiola’s side since the 2021 Champions League final, a sequence that now stretches to 11 matches and looks likely to be extended. Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day added further turbulence to a club that rarely lacks drama, bringing an abrupt end to an 18 month spell in charge. Despite delivering the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, the Italian paid the price for a disappointing domestic run that saw Chelsea win only two of their last seven league matches and just two of their previous nine in all competitions.
Those struggles could hardly come at a worse time, with Chelsea heading to a stadium where they have not tasted victory since May 2021. Several managers have come and gone since that last Etihad success, yet the story remains the same, as the London side continue to falter in Manchester. Although Chelsea sit fifth in the table, only three points off the top four, the margins are tight, and another defeat could quickly drag them into a congested chasing pack.
Interim boss Calum McFarlane takes charge of a side that is winless in three league away games and now faces one of the division’s most formidable opponents. Manchester City saw their six match winning run halted by a goalless draw with Sunderland in midweek, a result that allowed Arsenal to move four points clear at the top. With the Gunners in action before City this weekend, Guardiola’s men could find themselves under increased pressure to respond with a victory and keep pace in the title race.
Despite the draw on Wearside, City remain in excellent form overall and have been dominant in this fixture in recent years. An 11 match unbeaten run against Chelsea underlines their control since a brief dip in 2021, and the hosts will be confident of exploiting the uncertainty surrounding their opponents. The Etihad has become an unforgiving venue for visiting sides, particularly those low on confidence and continuity.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
City’s preparations have been mixed on the injury front. Jeremy Doku and Rodri both returned to action against Sunderland, but Savinho and Nico Gonzalez were forced off with problems and now join a growing list of absentees that includes Oscar Bobb, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic. Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait Nouri are also unavailable due to Africa Cup of Nations duty. Even so, Guardiola still has ample quality at his disposal, and Erling Haaland will once again be central to their attacking hopes after scoring in three of his last four appearances against Chelsea.
Chelsea have their own selection issues to contend with. Marc Cucurella will be assessed ahead of kick off, but Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo and Jorrel Hato are set to miss out. The absence of Moises Caicedo through suspension is particularly damaging, depriving the Blues of a key presence in midfield. Tactical adjustments are expected under McFarlane, with Cole Palmer likely to be pushed into a more advanced role as Chelsea search for inspiration.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Silva, Rodri, Reijnders; Cherki, Foden; Haaland
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Acheampong, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; James, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
EXPERT PREDICTION
Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
