The first of two quickfire meetings between Chelsea and Manchester City sees Graham Potter’s Blues welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
Both sides will head into the upcoming contest on the back of stalemates in their previous outings as Chelsea had to settle for a point in their game against Nottingham Forest while City were held to a draw against Everton.
Potter’s Chelsea would be hoping for a swift return to winning ways after failing to secure the three points up for grabs in their trip to Forest last time out with the home side leveling late to earn a point.
Chelsea sit in mid-table in ninth place, behind city rivals Brentford and Fulham, and there would be pressure building upon the new head coach Potter to steer his team back to their best despite the challenge Manchester City will provide on their travels to the Bridge on Thursday evening.
The defending champions were left frustrated in the 1-1 result at the Etihad with the visitors Everton snatching a draw through a wonder of a strike from forward Demarai Gray.
City enter the New Year seven points adrift of the table toppers Arsenal and Pep Guardiola’s side would be looking to cause an upset away at Chelsea who have lost just one game on home turf in top flight action this season, to the league leaders Arsenal.
The last time Chelsea and Man City locked horns, in November 2022, the Carabao Cup contest in Manchester finished in a 2-0 loss for Potter’s men.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Thursday 5 January 2023
Time: 7 PM GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea wing-back Reece James’s latest knee niggle sees the England international join long-term absentees N’Golo Kante and Armando Broja on the sidelines.
Wesley Fofana is unlikely to make the matchday squad following his recurring injury trouble which means that Potter is expected to utilize the services of Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva in the centre-back roles.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy remains away from the Chelsea fold with his shoulder injury while wing-back Ben Chilwell is tipped for a return in time for the trip to Fulham next week.
KEY BATTLE
Kai Havertz vs Erling Haaland
Chelsea’s struggles in front of the goal this season have been well documented and with the January window now open, Potter is pushing for the club to bring in a new number nine for his side.
Germany international Kai Havertz is likely to operate in that role for the game against City and he would be hoping to trouble a City backline that will miss out on two key names in two players in Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias.
For the visitors City, summer signing Erling Haaland has been at his prolific self since the restart of top flight action, scoring his 21st for the Premier League campaign in the Everton draw.
MATCH PREDICTION
Manchester City are the favourites to win the clash despite Chelsea’s solid run of form when playing in front of the home support at the Bridge.
Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City
