Table of Contents
Manchester City – Chelsea FC
As they did on Thursday night, Manchester City and Chelsea Football Club will face each other on Sunday afternoon. After the Skyblues picked up three points at Stamford Bridge with a 1-0 win to keep chasing Arsenal in the Premier League, the upcoming clash is in the FA Cup. For both teams, it is the start of the cup competition, although it is already asking for the 3rd round. On the island, however, it is the case that the first division clubs only enter the FA Cup after two rounds have been played. There are still 64 clubs in the competition.
Last season, the Blues even reached the final at Wembley. However, Chelsea lost 5:6 on penalties to Liverpool FC. Manchester City had previously been eliminated by the Reds in the semi-finals. The Londoners last won the FA Cup in 2018, with the Citizens triumphing for the last time the following year. Which of the two top clubs is more likely to qualify for the 4th round, read our Man City – Chelsea tip.
Man City – Chelsea info:
– Date & Time: 08.01.2023, 17:30 hrs.
– Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
– Competition: FA Cup, 3rd round
– TV coverage: DAZN
Man City Form & Balance Check
For Manchester City, Thursday night’s 1-0 win in London was immensely important as it closed the gap on league leaders Arsenal to five points. It was also a successful response to the previous embarrassing 1-1 draw against relegation candidates Everton. However, it is now four games in a row without defeat since the 2-1 home defeat to Brentford. Before that slip-up, City had gone six straight games without defeat. Manchester now have important games ahead of them as they face direct rivals Manchester United and Tottenham in the next few days. All the more reason for the Skyblues to make their mark with another win over Chelsea.
Nil again
While Manchester City did not play their stars out of the sky on Thursday, a cross-field pass from Grealish was enough to set up Mahrez. Instead, the defence shone, allowing nothing apart from a shot against the post from the Blues. For the first time in four games they kept a clean sheet. Before that, Brentford, Everton, Liverpool and Leeds scored against the Citizens. Looking at the statistics on Thursday, City dominated the whole game. Manchester had more possession, won more duels and shot on goal more often.
Man City facts & analysis
– On Thursday, Man City won 1-0 at Chelsea in the FA Cup.
– The Skyblues played to nil for the first time in four games.
– The last home game ended 1-1 against Everton.
Chelsea Form & Balance Check
Everything is coming together for Chelsea at the moment. The Blues and Graham Potter had probably envisaged a more successful start to their partnership, but a wave of injuries is currently complicating an already problematic sporting situation. The Blues have won only one of their last seven competitive games. After four defeats in a row, the Londoners were relieved by a 2-0 home victory. However, this was immediately followed by another 1-1 draw at promoted Nottingham, before Thursday night’s game was lost 1-0. Add to that the fact that the offense has only scored a total of three goals in their last seven games.
Chelsea with U23s starting
The fact that Chelsea couldn’t get anything going on Thursday night is no surprise to anyone given their personnel situation. Graham Potter already had to do without eight players due to injury. But that was not enough. Raheem Sterling had to be substituted after only a few minutes with a muscle injury. Later, Christian Pulisic joined him with an ankle injury. As a result, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lewis Kieran Hall, two players from the U23s, were on the field. Both youngsters are expected to start in Sunday’s clash.
Because of this problem, Chelsea made another move in the transfer market. Striker David Datro Fofana (20) arrived for over 10 million euros from Molde, where Erling Haaland began his career. The African could also be in demand on Sunday. The Blues also signed Benoît Badiashile (21), another centre-back, for 38 million euros from AS Monaco. With Mychajlo Mudryk (22) from Shakhtar Donetsk, another winger should find his way to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea facts & analysis
– Chelsea have won just one of their last seven competitive games.
– Blues scored only three goals in last seven competitive matches.
– Graham Potter must do without ten players through injury.
Predicted line-up – last update on 6 January 2023
Compared to Thursday’s game, only one change in Pep Guardiola’s 4-3-3 system suggests itself. In the cup competitions, the Spaniard relies on substitute goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. The ex-Bielefeld player thus replaces Ederson. Other changes are possible, but not mandatory. With central defender Ruben Dias, only one player is not available.
Chelsea’s substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga will also be between the posts on Sunday. However, the 80 million purchase is currently guarding the Blues’ goal anyway, as regular goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is missing due to injury. For the Londoners, changes to Graham Potter are not out of the question either, as Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic were substituted with injuries after less than 20 minutes on Thursday night. Injury concerns are mounting with Mason Mount, Reece James, N’Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Armando Broja and Wesley Fofana already out.
Man City – Chelsea direct comparison & stats
This clash has taken place three times in the FA Cup so far. Man City first met the Blues in the FA Cup eight years ago and won 2-0. In 2016, Chelsea returned the favour with a 5-1 victory and also won the last time they met in the FA Cup. In 2021, the Blues defeated the Skyblues 1-0 in the semi-finals.
– Man City won their last two competitive matches at home against Chelsea with 2-0 and 1-0.
– Chelsea last won 2-1 at Manchester City in May 2021.
– Five of the last six home games against Chelsea have been won by Man City.
