Man City vs Chelsea | Premier League | Pre Match

Man City vs Chelsea

Man City vs Chelsea | Premier League | Pre Match

Wednesday’s dramatic 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain left Manchester City on the brink of an early UEFA Champions League exit, with their worst campaign under Pep Guardiola threatening to reach a new nadir.

In the Premier League, however, City have turned something of a corner lately, taking 10 points from their last four games to boost their hopes of a top-four finish. They have a chance to move into the Champions League spots on Saturday, when they welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium.

After a run of just one win in nine Premier League games from the start of November (D2 L6), City have now won three of their last four (D1). They have scored 14 goals in this run, more than they had in their previous 11 league games (13). This surge in attacking form has reinvigorated the team and reignited their ambitions for the season, although defensive vulnerabilities remain a significant concern.

The one game City have not won in this recent stint—a 2-2 draw at Brentford last week—highlighted their fragility at the back. Those failings were laid bare once again against PSG. Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland put City 2-0 ahead in Paris, only for the hosts to come roaring back to win. It was the first time City had lost a game having led by two goals in any competition since May 2021—a 3-2 Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. The defensive collapse against PSG also saw City concede 26 shots, the most they have faced in a single match since September 2012, when Real Madrid registered 35 attempts against them in a Champions League group-stage encounter.

To address these issues, Guardiola has moved swiftly to bolster his backline with the January acquisitions of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis. Both defenders could be involved in the matchday squad on Saturday, particularly with Ruben Dias’ availability in doubt. Additionally, City’s latest big-money signing, Omar Marmoush, arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt for an estimated £63 million on Thursday. Prior to his transfer, Marmoush had been in scintillating form, recording 15 goals and nine assists in 17 Bundesliga games this season, and 20 goals with 13 assists across all competitions.

Marmoush’s statistics place him in elite company. Alongside fellow Egyptian Mohamed Salah, he is one of just two players from Europe’s top five leagues in double figures for both goals and assists this term. However, Guardiola is expected to integrate his new arrivals gradually, meaning Marmoush may have to settle for a spot on the bench against Chelsea. His competition includes Phil Foden, who has been in electric form of late. The reigning Premier League Player of the Season has scored five goals in his last three league games and is aiming to score in four consecutive matches for the first time in his career.

Foden’s contributions have been part of a broader resurgence in City’s attacking play, exemplified by their 6-0 demolition of Ipswich Town last Sunday. Kevin De Bruyne was instrumental in that victory, providing two assists to take his tally to four in his last three league appearances. The Belgian maestro also boasts an impressive record against Chelsea, having scored five Premier League goals against his former club—a tally bettered only by his eight strikes against Arsenal.

This weekend’s clash marks a rare occurrence, as it is the latest point in the season that City have faced Chelsea while trailing them in the Premier League table since 2016-17. On that occasion, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea triumphed 2-1 at Stamford Bridge en route to claiming the title. Chelsea’s hopes of mounting a similar charge this season appear slim, however, as their inconsistency has plagued their campaign.

Enzo Maresca’s side endured a torrid run of five league games without a win either side of the New Year, but they ended that slump with a 3-1 victory over Wolves on Monday. Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella, and Noni Madueke secured a much-needed three points for the Blues. Madueke, in particular, has been a bright spot for Chelsea this season, forging a promising partnership with former City man Cole Palmer. The duo has combined for 25 chances in the Premier League, the highest total of any pairing in the division. Palmer’s 17 chances created for Madueke also represent the most one player has laid on for a specific teammate this term.

Despite their recent win, Chelsea’s away form has been less than stellar. They are winless in their last three Premier League road games (D2 L1), a stark contrast to their early-season exploits, which saw them win six of their first eight away matches (D1 L1) while averaging nearly three goals per game. In their last three away outings, however, they have managed just one goal, underscoring their struggles in front of goal.

City’s dominance in recent meetings with Chelsea will give Guardiola’s men confidence heading into this fixture. The reigning champions are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games against the Blues, winning five and drawing two since a 2-1 home defeat in May 2021—a result that delayed their coronation as league champions. Chelsea’s defensive frailties at the Etihad are also well-documented, as they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League visits to City’s home ground. Their solitary shutout in that period came in February 2014, when they secured a 1-0 win. Moreover, Chelsea have failed to score in seven of those 16 encounters, including their most recent visit at the start of the 2024-25 campaign, which ended in a 2-0 defeat.

The match promises to be a high-stakes affair, with both teams vying for critical points in their respective battles for Champions League qualification and Premier League resurgence. City’s attacking firepower, led by Haaland, Foden, and De Bruyne, will look to exploit Chelsea’s vulnerabilities, while the Blues will hope their newfound momentum can propel them to a rare success at the Etihad. As the Premier League season enters its decisive phase, this clash between two of England’s elite clubs could prove pivotal in shaping the top-four race.