Chelsea-Manchester City is a match for the nineteenth day of the Premier League and is played on Thursday at 21:00: predictions
The 2022-23 Premier League first leg concludes with the Stamford Brigde super-match between Chelsea and Manchester City. And for one of the usual ‘tricks’ of the calendar – it’s nothing new with three domestic competitions to face – the Blues and Citizens will find themselves facing each other in just three days’ time: next Sunday, on reversed pitches, they are set to battle it out for the FA Cup.
The attention of the two coaches Graham Potter and Pep Guardiola, however, is focused almost entirely on the championship, where both are forced to chase. The situation is decidedly complicated at Chelsea after the disappointing away draw against Nottingham Forest, which stopped the Londoners at 1-1. The Blues are currently tenth in the standings and the Champions League zone – the minimum objective after an unsatisfactory start – is a good ten points away, although Manchester United, the team that currently occupies fourth place, has played one match more. After a positive start, characterised by a long unbeaten run, the former Brighton coach – who took over from Thomas Tuchel in September – seems to have lost his bearings: in the last five days his Chelsea team has suffered three defeats and only beaten the newly promoted Bournemouth.
There is already a precedent this season
For now, the fans can console themselves with the market rumours, which are particularly appetising: Chelsea are reportedly close to Enzo Fernandez, the talented Benfica midfielder and recent world champion with Argentina, for the monstrous sum of 127 million euros. But there is also talk of young defender Benoit Badiashile of Monaco. Actually, a right-back would also be needed, especially now that Reece James is injured again.
Potter and Guardiola
On the other hand, Manchester City will attempt to respect tradition, which has seen them win in their first outing of the calendar year for ten seasons now. The Citizens have already beaten Chelsea two months ago: Mahrez and Alvarez ousted the Blues from the League Cup. Guardiola, after his half-hearted misstep against Everton – who managed to snatch a point at the Etihad Stadium – must take advantage of the draw between leaders Arsenal and Newcastle to consolidate second place and shorten the gap on the Gunners, currently +8.
The Prediction
It won’t be as easy as in the cup, but Manchester City should be able to come back from Stamford Bridge with three points in their pocket. The gap between the two teams is quite clear and the league table is there to confirm it. After all, the opportunity is too good for the Citizens to get closer to the top. They are favourites in a match in which Chelsea should also score at least one goal, unlike what happened two months ago.
The Chelsea-Manchester City line-up probables
- CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Kovacic, Zakaria; Sterling, Mount, Pulisic; Aubameyang.
- MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Cancelo; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Bernardo Silva, Haaland, Foden.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
