Chelsea vs Manchester City Preview: Pep's title defence begins

Manchester City will look to win the league again in what might be Pep Guardiola's final season in charge, with Chelsea the opponents on Sunday

 
7:30am on Friday 16th August 2024
By
Martin Macdonald

Manchester City begin their title defence with an away trip to Chelsea on Sunday.

Last season, Pep Guardiola's men earned another championship, once again holding off the challenge of Arsenal.

Nobody really knows what to expect from Chelsea or indeed how new manager Enzo Maresca will manage his extremely, extremely bloated squad.

Match Preview

Man City recent form

The season hasn't even started yet and Man City have already claimed silverware as they defeated Man Utd on penalties in the Community Shield last week.

In pre-season, Man City actually defeated Chelsea 4-2 in the United States.

They also lost against Celtic and Milan and drew versus Barcelona.

Man City injury news

Man City were recently rocked by a fresh injury concern as Oscar Bobb, who played a big part in pre-season matches, suffered a fractured leg. He'll undergo surgery in Barcelona soon.

Rodri and Jack Grealish aren't at full fitness but should be fine to feature.

Chelsea recent form

Chelsea's pre-season was a mixed bag as they were defeated by Celtic, Man City and Real Madrid, while they drew against Inter and beat Club America.

Chelsea injury news

Reece James just has no luck when it comes to injuries and he has once again been ruled out for a while, this time due to a thigh issue. New signing Omari Kelltman and goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic are also out.

Pedro Neto is in line for his first appearance in a Chelsea shirt after his big-money move from Wolves.

Man City vs Chelsea - who is the referee and VAR?

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn

Fourth official: Darren England

VAR: Michael Salisbury

Assistant VAR: Dan Cook

Man City - Player to Watch?

After a few injury concerns last season, Erling Haaland will look to crack on and break the 30-goal mark in the Premier League again, starting the Golden Boot pursuit on Sunday.

Chelsea - Player to Watch?

This may not be for all-positive reasons, but there will be plenty of eyes on Enzo Fernandez on Sunday following the major squad fracture in the summer after he was accused of singing a racist chant with the Argentina squad.

Chelsea vs Man City - Prediction

Even if Maresca gets a tune out of the Chelsea squad this season, they have so many players that he wont know his best XI yet. Man City, meanwhile, will settle into their rhythm quickly.

Chelsea 0-3 Man City

Last season at Stamford Bridge, Haaland scored two in an entertaining 4-4 draw, so he's odds-on to score first in this one.

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