Table-toppers Manchester City take on 4th-placed Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Both these sides head into this high-octane clash following the Champions League semi-final second legs in midweek. Manchester City made a massive statement on the European front as they beat Paris Saint-Germain and qualified for their first European final. Riyad Mahrez was the star of the show, scoring a brace in the match. Man City boast home advantage in this match and know that a win here will see them crowned the Premier League champions for this season.  

Man City may have won their last five games in all competitions, but their most recent loss came against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley last month. They stunned Real Madrid with a comprehensive 2-0 victory in the Champions League semi-final in midweek, with Timo Werner and Mason Mount on the scoresheet. Chelsea have been beaten just twice in their 24 matches since head coach Thomas Tuchel took charge back in January. A win here will keep their hold on a 4th-place finish in the Premier League this season.

In head-to-head meetings, Chelsea have won 69 matches and Man City have managed 59 victories. 39 games between these two sides have ended in draws. The last five meetings saw wins see-sawing between the two teams, with Chelsea being the latest winner.

The previous league meeting between the two teams took place in January this year and ended in a 1-3 away win for Man City. Gundogan, De Bruyne and Foden were on the scoresheet for City, while Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal for Chelsea.

Rivalry Stats

• The last 11 Premier League meetings between Manchester City and Chelsea have not finished on level terms, with the Citizens winning 7 times as compared to Chelsea’s 4 wins.
• Manchester City have lost only 1 of their last 24 home Premier League games against London-based teams (W20, D3). They have remained unbeaten in their last 14 such matches (W12, D2), since losing 2-3 to Crystal Palace in December 2018.
• Chelsea have lost their last 3 away league games against Man City by an aggregate score of 9-1. Their last win (3-1) at the Etihad was in December 2016.
• Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in 11 of their 15 Premier League games under Thomas Tuchel, the most shutouts recorded by any manager in their first 15 games in the league’s history.
• Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne has scored in each of his last three Premier League games against Chelsea. The last player to score in four consecutive appearances against the Blues in the competition was Carlos Tevez (5 between 2007-2010).

Match Details

• Match: Manchester City vs. Chelsea
• Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
• Date & Time: May 8, 2021, at 10 PM IST 

Team News

Manchester City

• Injured: None
• Doubtful: None 
• Suspended: John Stones

Chelsea

• Injured: None
• Doubtful: Mateo Kovacic, Cesar Azpilicueta
• Suspended: None

Predicted Starting XI

Manchester City (4-3-3) 

Ederson (GK); Joao Cancelo, Benjamin Mendy, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte; Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne; Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero

Chelsea (3-4-2-1)

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK); Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma; Marcos Alonso, Reece James, N'Golo Kante, Jorginho; Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic; Kai Havertz

• Manchester City form guide: W-W-W-W-W
• Chelsea form guide: W-W-D-W-D

Match Prediction

Manchester City have enjoyed a spectacular season and are arguably the best team in England at the moment, but their record is patchy at the Etihad this season. Chelsea, on the other hand, have been brilliant under new manager Tuchel, reaching the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

With neither side wanting to give too much away before the big European battle and both having come from tough midweek games, a low-scoring match could be on the cards here.

Howzat Dream Team

• Goalkeeper: Ederson
• Defenders: J Cancelo, B Mendy, K Zouma, R James
• Midfielders: Rodri, I Gundogan, N Kante, M Mount, C Pulisic    
• Forward: S Aguero

• Captain: I Gundogan/S Aguero
• Vice Captain: M Mount/C Pulisic

NOTE: The Howzat dream team above is just a suggestion. You can select your own fantasy football team by using your knowledge and fantasy premier league tips. Also, don’t forget to make any necessary changes to your team once the actual starting 11 is announced by each team (60 minutes before the start of the match) as some players you have selected might not be part of the fantasy 11.

Select your own team and play fantasy football on your favorite fantasy football app, Howzat!