When Chelsea and Manchester City face off in the Premier League derby, all eyes will be on Stamford Bridge. The Blues want to maintain their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, and we are confident that they will try to win on Thursday. The second of three rapid encounters between Chelsea and Manchester City will take place on Thursday when the Premier League rivals will meet at Stamford Bridge.
Last time out, Graham Potter’s team settled for a point in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, while the visitors were held to a two-goal deadlock by Everton.
The defending Premier League winners have made a couple of mistakes and face a significant deficit against Arsenal. Despite Erling Haaland’s exceptional goal-scoring form, City must win at Chelsea after drawing with Everton on the weekend, or they risk major doubts about their credentials. However, a lot of problems are mounting at Chelsea as a result of a lackluster second-half performance in the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
Form Guide: Chelsea
Raheem Sterling’s first Premier League goal since August gave Chelsea the lead, but they were outplayed in a 1-1 draw against struggling Nottingham Forest, continuing their recent bad record.
The Blues made it four games without a victory on the road in any tournament after being outplayed in the second half, which saw Serge Aurier score a well-deserved equalizer for Forest.
After Sterling’s early goal, the visitors had an opportunity to seize control of the match, but they were unable to do so and ultimately were arguably fortunate to escape with a point. Injuries are a big factor in Graham Potter’s team’s slump both before and after the World Cup break. The champions present an intimidating test for the Blues at this time when they are currently doing well.
At least Chelsea’s miserable three-game losing streak on the road in all competitions was ended thanks to a trip to the City Ground, but the traveling supporters were only treated to a bizarre Raheem Sterling goal before Serge Aurier expertly volleyed home a well-earned equalizer for Nottingham Forest.
Potter acknowledged that he was “concerned” about how his team performed at the City Ground, but all it takes is one glance at the Premier League standings to add insult to injury: the Blues are mired in the ninth position, below West London rivals Brentford and Fulham.
Form Guide: Manchester City
On New Year’s Eve, when they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home against struggling Everton, City lost more distance to league leaders Arsenal.
In a stop-start, foul-filled, and tense match, Everton’s game strategy frustrated City, and Demarai Gray’s astonishing equalizer canceled out an Erling Haaland goal. Given the approaching calendar, which includes home games against Tottenham and Manchester United for the reigning champions in January, that outcome was especially disheartening. With a strong run, City will want to put pressure on Arsenal.
Due to their inability to defeat the Toffees, Man City started the new year a massive seven points behind Arsenal in the standings. Should the Gunners defeat Newcastle United tonight, they will have a chance to overtake Guardiola’s team and move into the top two.
Manchester City will take heart from their record of one away defeat in their last 25 games in the top flight and the fact that they haven’t lost their first game of the year since 2012 as they head to West London with no clean sheets to show for their last four Premier League games and just one in their last seven.
How the game could go
Although there are undoubtedly some chinks in City’s armor, Chelsea has drew twice and lost twice this season against teams in the top six. As a result, they appear vulnerable to another defeat tonight.
Both teams lost their previous match by a single point, but Chelsea played especially poorly, and their performance at the City Ground suggests they’re in for a difficult few weeks.
The Blues are ill-equipped to compete with the champs because of their injuries, and their weaknesses were again exposed against Everton on New Year’s Eve. City cannot afford to lose points at their present rate given Arsenal’s current performance. By the time this match rolls around, the Gunners will be seven points in front and may widen that advantage to ten points.
Betting Predictions
Manchester City To Win
Although it seems like he has only been in charge for one rainy day, Graham Potter is already feeling the pressure after the Blues’ disastrous performance at Nottingham Forest. In their last seven Premier League games, Chelsea has only succeeded once, and they will undoubtedly struggle against Man City on Thursday. The City Citizens slept through their 1-1 tie with Everton the last time they played, but now that Arsenal is beginning to wane at the top of the table, we anticipate a more focused performance from the defending champions in London. Here, support the significantly more powerful visitors. Bet9ja have 1.65, 1xbet have 1.66 and Paripesa have 1.66 odds.
Under 2.5 Goals
Neither Potter nor Guardiola will read too much into City’s two-goal EFL Cup success over Chelsea in November, but it would not be a complete shock to see an identical scoreline in the top left-hand corner this week. 1.6 goals have been scored in each game between the two sides. In the previous five games versus Chelsea, Man City has scored an average of one goal per game. Both sides have shown a defensive element to their style in prior head-to-head encounters. We believe that Stamford Bridge’s encounter between the two clubs will feature no more than two goals, as it has in the previous five games. Bet9ja have 2.03 odds, Paripesa have 2.12 and 1xbet have 2.12 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Chelsea)
Raheem Sterling
Another meeting between the English striker and his former club would happen today. The last time it wasn’t all that good as his side lost and he failed to make an impact. He was on the scoresheet in Chelsea’s draw against Forest he seems to be on form and could do a lot of damage to his former team today. Bet9ja have 5.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 4.50.
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz has participated in 11 games and has 20 total shots, 11 of which have been on goal, and three goals. The German has been inconsistent of late with some performances better than most, he has a good record against City and can be the difference for Chelsea if they are going to get anything from it. Bet9ja have 4.75 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 4.37.
Anytime Goalscorer (Manchester City)
Haaland
Erling Haaland rarely fails to deliver the goods and despite being fed fewer opportunities than usual against Everton last week, the Norwegian hotshot still managed to convert a half chance. The 22-year-old has now plundered 21 goals in just 15 appearances in his maiden Premier League campaign and he is on course to break all sorts of long-standing top-tier records before May. A Haaland goal usually comes with the match ticket and we recommend backing the lethal finisher to register anytime again on Thursday. Bet9ja have 1.85 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 1.95.
Kevin De Bryune
Kevin De Bruyne has five goal contributions (G4, A1) from his last five PL games against the Blues. We are sure to see him lead his side to victory as they push to apply more pressure on league leaders Arsenal. We have him selected here as he is the second most prolific player in front of goal just after his teammate Haaland in City. Bet9ja have 4.75 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.75 odds
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
