Manchester City vs Chelsea Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Premier League 2025-26

Blues to enter new year without Maresca in dugout.

Etihad Stadium in Manchester gears up to host the Matchweek 20 fixture of the English Premier League, featuring Manchester City and Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola can once again sabotage Mikel Arteta’s title ambitions if City continue their winning momentum. That winning streak hit a major roadblock after Sunderland held them to a goalless draw. Back in the Etihad, Guardiola will eye nothing less than all three points against the Blues.

In a shocking turn of events, the man who brought the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League titles to London has parted ways. Placed fifth in the points table, the Blues are winless in their last three games and are coming after a defeat to Villa and a draw against Bournemouth.

Thank you to all our travelling fans for your incredible support this evening 👏See you soon back at home 🩵🏡 pic.twitter.com/beBwLyeE6q

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 1, 2026

Kick-off:

• Location: Manchester, England
• Stadium: Etihad Stadium
• Date: Sunday, January 4
• Kick-off Time: 11:00 p.m. IST
• Referee: Anthony Taylor 
• VAR: In use

Players to Watch

Nathan Ake (Manchester City)

The Dutch defender has plied his trade with Chelsea, Watford and Bournemouth before making a move to Etihad Stadium with Man City. He will play a crucial role in helping City clinch a clean sheet against the Blues. He has so far played 9 games for City this term.

Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea)

One of the tallest players in Chelsea, Chalobah, grew up in Sierra Leone. He has so far played as a loanee at different clubs like Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace previously. In 18 games, he has scored three goals and will be looking forward to making an impact in the next game.

Match Facts

• Sergio Aguero from City is the leading goalscorer in this fixture.
• Man City have won three back-to-back games against Chelsea.
• Chelsea last won against City in the UCL Finals 2021

Manchester City vs Chelsea: Betting Tips and Odds

• City to win the match – 4/7 with bet365
• Erling Haaland to score – 8/15 with bet365
• Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea – 12/1 with bet365

Injury and Team News

Due to AFCON, City will miss Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri. Other absentees are John Stones and Oscar Bobb.

Chelsea are unaffected by AFCON. Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia remain injured.

Also Read: Leeds vs Manchester United Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds

Head-to-Head

Total matches: 173

City won: 66

Chelsea won: 67

Draws: 40

Predicted Lineups

Man City predicted lineup (4-3-2-1)

Donnarumma (GK); Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Silva, Gonzalez, Foden; Doku, Cherki; Haaland

Chelsea predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Sánchez (GK); James, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; Caicedo, Fernández; Estevão, Palmer, Neto; Pedro

Match Prediction

This will be Chelsea’s first game after parting ways with Maresca. Pep will leave no stone unturned to make the most of his home advantage and clinch a big win.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea

Telecast Details

India: JioHotstar, Star Sports Network

UK: TNT Sports and Sky Sports

USA: NBC Sports

Nigeria: SuperSport

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