Man City v Chelsea: Preview and Betting Tips | EPL 2025

The hosts have won three of their last four matches but suffered a damaging European defeat in midweek. The Blues ended a five-match winless EPL run last Monday.

Match: Man City v Chelsea
When: Saturday, 25 January 2024, 19:30
Where: Etihad Stadium

Man City Form

City is having a difficult season. A run of nine losses in 13 matches was unprecedented. They’ve recently turned things around to some degree, winning 2-0 at Leicester and then 4-1 against West Ham at home. An 8-0 thrashing of Salford in the FA Cup was a confidence boost.

They’ve since had defensive woes. They threw away a 2-0 lead at Brentford in the final ten minutes before destroying Ipswich 6-0 at Portman Road from 3.03 xG. In midweek, they led 2-0 away to PSG before another collapse to lose 4-2. They allowed an incredible 26 shots and eight big chances.

Man City Team News

Pep Guardiola remains without Rodri and Oscar Bobb due to their long-term injuries. Ruben Dias went off at half-time in midweek and could miss this match whilst Nathan Ake is very doubtful.

Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis signed last week and will boost the defence with Kyle Walker set to leave. Khusanov could go straight into the starting XI here. Versatile forward Omar Marmoush is expected to make his debut from the bench.

Man City Motivation

City have a must-win Champions League match against Club Brugges on the horizon. That fixture simply must take priority over this one.

Guardiola’s side will try to play their usual game but they are leaking goals for fun. In midweek, they managed just 37% possession at PSG, their second-lowest under their Spanish coach.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea have won 10 of their last 15 matches in all competitions but most of those victories were in Cup games. In the league, they ended a five-match winless run last time out. A 0-0 draw at Everton was followed by a 2-1 home loss to Fulham.

A 2-0 at relegation-threatened Ipswich was a dire result in the context of the Tractor Boys being thrashed 6-0 last week by Man City. A 1-1 home draw vs Crystal Palace and a 2-2 home draw against Bournemouth highlighted their slump. On Monday, Chelsea beat Wolves 3-1 to get back on track.

Chelsea Team News

Enzo Maresca is without Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile in defence but Levi Colwill should return. Enzo Fernandez is a major doubt and Romeo Lavia is out injured in midfield.

The coach has to find a solution in the engine room. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is an option, as is using Trevoh Chalobah next to Moises Caicedo. Jadon Sancho is set for a recall down the left wing.

Chelsea Motivation

The Blues won’t get a better chance to beat Man City. This is now a key game in the race for the top four.

Chelsea will look to control the spaces and use fast breaks through their front four. A draw is not a bad result but it would feel like a missed opportunity.

Key Stats

Man City have won 4 of their last 7 matches in all competitions (2 draws, 1 loss)

Man City’s Phil Foden has scored 5 goals in his last 3 EPL matches

Man City are unbeaten in 10 matches vs Chelsea (8 wins, 2 draws)

Chelsea have won 10 of their last 15 matches in all competitions

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has 14 goals in the league this season

Verdict

This match should see goals for both sides. City may be slightly distracted and a score draw looks like great value in this one.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals at 2.00
Value Bet: Draw at 3.90
Anytime Goalscorer Tips: Foden at 2.80 or Palmer at 2.65