Table of Contents
Chelsea FC – Manchester City
The New Year’s Eve party came to an early halt for the Manchester City players. The 1-1 draw in the Premier League against a very dismal Everton dampened the mood immensely. On top of that, it was the second slip-up in just a short time, as the Citizens had already lost their home game against Brentford 2-1 before the World Cup in Qatar. The gap to league leaders Arsenal is now seven points. Pep Guardiola and his team cannot afford any more slip-ups if they want to catch up with the Gunners. Especially not against a club that has the same ambitions. On Thursday night, City must travel to the capital to face Chelsea Football Club at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have absolutely nothing to do with the championship. The development under new coach Graham Potter still needs time. This became more than clear in the last away game at promoted Nottingham Forrest. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Too little for the demands in London. In fact, the Blues are currently only ninth in the table and are in a deep form crisis. Whether this will come to an early end against Erling Haaland & Co. you can read in our Chelsea – Man City tip.
Chelsea – Man City info:
– Date & Time: 05.01.2023, 21:00 Uhr
– Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
– Competition: Premier League, Matchday 19
– TV broadcast: Sky
Chelsea Form & Balance Check
Graham Potter has now been in charge as head coach of the Blues for nine league games. At the start of his tenure, it looked as though the 47-year-old would take instant success from Brighton back to the capital. Chelsea won three games to start under Potter but have failed to deliver since. After two draws against Brentford and Manchester United, the Blues lost three in a row.
Against Potter’s former club Brighton & Hove Albion they lost 1:4 on the south coast. Chelsea lost 1-0 against Arsenal and Newcastle, and their run of five games without a win came to an end against promoted Bournemouth, who the Blues beat 2-0. However, this success was not the start of the turnaround, as the draw against Nottingham shows.
Unusual offensive weakness
The last few weeks have clearly shown where the Blues are stuck. Chelsea are clearly scoring too few goals for the quality that is in the squad. With only 20 goals in 16 games, the Londoners have the worst offensive value of any team up to 9th place in the table. Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling are the most successful scorers with four goals each. Eight goals for a combined €160 million in transfer fees is simply too thin.
Chelsea facts & analysis
– Chelsea in 9th place in the table with 25 points.
– The Blues have now won one of their last five games.
– Chelsea last played 1-1 draw at Nottingham.
Man City Form & Balance Check
It is almost unbelievable that Manchester City are not at the top of the table with an Erling Haaland who has already scored 21 goals in the league. Although Pep Guardiola’s team scored four more goals than league leaders Arsenal, they took seven points less. They followed up their 2-1 home defeat before the World Cup with another slip-up in the recent home game against Everton. Despite a full 75% possession and 16 shots, only Haaland’s shot ended up in the net. The Toffees had the football gods on their side and took a point from the Etihad to Merseyside with only a single shot on goal. This increased the gap on Arsenal to seven points for the Skyblues.
Four not nil
Also this summer, Manchester City once again strengthened their defence with the transfer of Manuel Akanji from BVB. With only 16 goals conceded in 16 games, the front men of goalkeeper Ederson represent one of the best defensive lines in the Premier League. However, already before the turn of the year, the worm was in it. Against Fulham, Brentford, Leeds and Everton, the box was not kept clean. For the first time this season, the Skyblues conceded at least one goal in four games in a row. Their own attack is the best in the league with 44 goals.
Man City facts & analysis
– Man City are 2nd in the table with 36 points.
– The Skyblues provide the best offence with 44 goals.
– City have won only one of their last three matches.
Predicted line-up – last update on 4 January 2023
Last update Graham Potter ran an attacking 4-3-3 formation at Nottingham with Mason Mount as a ten. At least Mount and the attacking trio of Sterling, Havertz and Pulisic can be expected against Man City. There may be changes in defence and midfield. Still out are Reece James, N’Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Armando Broja and Wesley Fofana.
Pep Guardiola will have to do without his most important centre-back, defender Ruben Dias, for around a month due to injury. The Portuguese is currently being replaced by John Stones. Compared to the home game against Everton, some changes are to be expected. For example, João Cancelo is expected at right back, as well as Phil Foden on the left wing in a 4-3-3 system.
Chelsea – Man City direct comparison & stats
The games between Chelsea and Manchester City have been very varied in the recent past. Most recently, the Skyblues won three games in a row against the Blues. Before that series, Chelsea won three in a row against City. Nine matches in a row did not end in a draw.
– Man City won the last match at Stamford Bridge 1-0.
– Chelsea and Man City have won two of their last four meetings in London.
– Only one team has ever scored in four of the last five meetings.
