Chelsea Faces Manchester City in a Crucial Premier League Match

Chelsea will take to the field for the first time since the departure of Enzo Maresca as they face off against Manchester City, one of the top contenders for the Premier League title. This match is set to be a significant test for the Blues as they navigate through the challenges of being without a permanent manager.

Maresca’s sudden exit from Stamford Bridge has been a major talking point recently, with BlueCo deciding to part ways with yet another manager. The Italian’s strained relationship with the ownership group played a key role in his dismissal, and Calum McFarlane, the Under-21s boss, has taken over the reins for this crucial encounter with City.

The results on the pitch were also a contributing factor in Maresca’s departure, along with rumors about his potential future at City as Pep Guardiola’s successor. With uncertainty surrounding the club, Chelsea will be looking for their second win in eight Premier League games when they head to the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City, on the other hand, is eager to capitalize on Chelsea’s current turmoil. They are aiming to stay in the race for the title, especially after a goalless draw at Sunderland allowed Arsenal to pull further ahead. A loss at home to Chelsea would be unacceptable for Guardiola’s team.

Guardiola’s men had an impressive run of eight consecutive wins before their stalemate at Sunderland, and they are expected to secure their first victory of 2026 against the managerless Blues.

Match Details

Location: Manchester, England

Stadium: Etihad Stadium

Date: Sunday, Jan. 4

Kick-off Time: 5:30 p.m. GMT / 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT

Referee: Michael Oliver

VAR: Darren England

Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

• Man City: 3 wins
• Chelsea: 0 wins
• Draws: 2
• Last Meeting: Man City 3–1 Chelsea (Jan. 25, 2025) – Premier League

Current Form (All Competitions)

Man City:
– Sunderland 0–0 Man City – 01/01/26
– Nottingham Forest 1–2 Man City – 27/12/25
– Man City 3–0 West Ham – 20/12/25
– Man City 2–0 Brentford – 17/12/25
– Crystal Palace 0–3 Man City – 14/12/25

Chelsea:
– Chelsea 2–2 Bournemouth – 30/12/25
– Chelsea 1–2 Aston Villa – 27/12/25
– New Castle 2–2 Chelsea – 20/12/25
– Cardiff 1–3 Chelsea – 16/12/25
– Chelsea 2–0 Everton – 13/12/25

How to Watch

United Kingdom: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD, Sky GO, Sky GO Extra

United States: NBCSN, Peacock

Canada: DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada

Mexico: Not televised

Man City Team News

An injury to Nico González midweek means he is a doubt at the base of midfield against Chelsea, potentially leading to a return to the starting lineup for Rodri earlier than expected. The Spaniard was excellent when he came off the bench at the Stadium of Light. Savinho also picked up an injury on New Year’s Day and the Brazilian will be absent against the Blues, joining John Stones, Oscar Bobb and ex-Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovačić in the treatment room.

Rayan Aït-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are both missing as they’re on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Joško Gvardiol and Tijjani Reijnders could re-enter the XI against Chelsea.

Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea

Man City predicted lineup vs. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri, Reijnders; Cherki, Silva, Foden; Haaland.

Chelsea Team News

McFarlane is unlikely to change much from Maresca’s most recent lineup against Bournemouth but he will be devastated to be without Moisés Caicedo, who is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the Premier League season. Ex-City midfielder Roméo Lavia is also absent in the engine room alongside summer signing Dário Essugo, while Levi Colwill appears set to be joined by fellow defender Jorrel Hato on the sidelines.

Marc Cucurella is a doubt for the clash with City and will be sorely missed if he’s unavailable, while Mykhailo Mudryk is still suspended after failing a drugs test. Chelsea will need Cole Palmer to sparkle against his old employers.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Man City

Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Man City (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Fernández; Estêvão, Palmer, Neto; Pedro.

Man City vs. Chelsea Score Prediction

City won both meetings with Chelsea last season and will be expected to clinch another victory over their fellow ‘Big Six’ side on Sunday. The Cityzens are in stronger form and boast an array of red-hot forwards ready to hurt the Blues.

Chelsea will be without a full-time manager in the dugout but the players might well react to the shock dismissal of Maresca on the pitch. This game can produce chaotic encounters and McFarlane’s men certainly have the capacity to hurt City in transition.

Prediction: Man City 3–3 Chelsea