Manchester City begin the defence of their Premier League title at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in Sunday's late kick-off.
Pep Guardiola goes up against another of his former prodigies this weekend in the form of the new Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca whose first game in charge of the London club looks set to be a baptism of fire.
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Chelsea vs Man City prediction: Will the champions get off to a winning start?
Key Stats
- These two teams met in pre-season for a friendly match in the United States which Man City won 4-2.
- Man City finished top of the Premier League table last season with 91 points while Chelsea finished five places below with 63 points.
- Erling Haaland scored 38 goals in 45 games for Man City last season, 27 of which arrived in the league, two against Chelsea.
Correct score prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Man City
Man City have already beaten Chelsea in pre-season and while we are backing another City victory this weekend, we expect the game to be much more closely fought as Chelsea have the home advantage.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The odds are stacked against Chelsea
- HOME: 13/4 (4.25) – 23.5%
- DRAW: 3/1 (4.00) – 25%
- AWAY: 17/20 (1.85) – 54.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Man City are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 54.1%, and we can't really argue with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Man City dominate
Sunday's guests have won three and drawn two of their last five competitive games against Chelsea, claiming a 1-0 win when the pair met in the FA Cup back in April.
Elite Club Friendlies 03/08/24
Man City
Chelsea
England FA Cup 20/04/24
Man City
Chelsea
England Premier League 17/02/24
Man City
Chelsea
England League 1 16/01/24
Man City
Chelsea
Portugal Primeira Liga 03/01/24
Man City
Chelsea
Chelsea preview: Very busy this transfer window
Chelsea have been the busiest team in the transfer window this summer with some suggesting that is because a potential transfer ban hangs over the club.
Around £180m has been spent on new players so far, but the club have also sold around £100m worth of players with more ins and outs still to come.
Pedro Neto has been the biggest signing so far from Wolves for somewhere in the region of £50m and the biggest outgoing to date saw Ian Maatsen join Aston Villa for around £40m.
Reece James, Dorde Petrovic and Omari Kellyman won't be available for selection this weekend through injury.
Predicted lineup: Sanchez (GK), Disasi, Cucurella, Colwill, Badiashile, Fernandez, Caicedo, Palmer, Neto & Jackson
England Premier League 01/09/24
D
Crystal Palace
1
Chelsea
1
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 29/08/24
L
Servette
2
Chelsea
1
England Premier League 25/08/24
W
Wolverhampton
2
Chelsea
6
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 22/08/24
W
Servette
0
Chelsea
2
England Premier League 18/08/24
L
Man City
2
Chelsea
0
Man City preview: Only made one signing so far
Manchester City haven't been as busy as most expected in this transfer window though Pep Gurdiola's side are expected to let a few more players go and hope to replace them.
Brazilian Savinho has joined the club from French side Troyes for around £20m but the big departure saw Julian Alvarez leave the club for Atletico Madrid in a deal worth £70m.
Jack Grealish and Oscar Bobb are the two main injury concerns for Man City ahead of their trip to the capital on Sunday.
Predicted lineup: Ederson (GK), Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, Silva & Haaland
TEST Fixtures 05/09/24
D
Arsenal
0
Man City
0
England Premier League 31/08/24
W
West Ham
1
Man City
3
England Premier League 24/08/24
W
Ipswich
1
Man City
4
England Premier League 18/08/24
W
Chelsea
0
Man City
2
TEST Fixtures 12/08/24
D
Man Utd
0
Man City
0
Player to watch – Phil Foden
Phil Foden starred for Man City last season enjoying his best-ever goal return by some distance.
The England international scored 27 goals in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign, 19 of which were in the Premier League. The 24-year-old's previous best tally arrived in the 20/21 season where he scored 16 times in all competitions, including nine in the league.
Manchester City's best player last season
Due to his England commitments this summer, Foden hasn't played for his club during pre-season as Pep Guardiola wanted him to be fully rested before the competitive games began, so he should be fresh for Sunday.
