Manchester City vs Chelsea Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW20)
Premier League Gameweek 20 features a high-profile clash at the Etihad Stadium as second-place Manchester City host fifth-place Chelsea, with 11 points separating the sides.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has his squad positioned for a familiar second-half title push as they look to close a four-point gap on league leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea enter under interim leadership following the dismissal of Enzo Maresca a few days ago, with U-21 coach Calum McFarlane set to take charge. The Blues will aim to steady their form as they continue their pursuit of a top-four finish.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Sunday's Mancehster City vs. Chelsea match.
Premier League Player News & Updates
When & Where to Watch (USA/UK)
Sunday, January 4 at 12:30PM ET/9:30 AM PT
US schedule (English)
- TV Channel: NBC
- Live Stream: Peacock
US schedule (Spanish)
- TV Channel: Telemundo
UK schedule
- TV Channel: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Ultra HD.
- Live Stream: Sky Go app, NOW TV.
Manchester City vs. Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
Manchester City and Chelsea have met 180 times, dating back to 1907 when the sides played to a 2-2 draw in a League Division Two matchup at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea lead the all-time series, winning 71 times and drawing on 41 occasions.
Across the last 10 Premier League meetings between the sides, the Cityzens have dominated the Blues with seven wins and two draws.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Which Chelsea player scored the lone goal of their 2021 Champions League Final victory over Manchester City?
Gameweek 19 Trivia: Which Arsenal goalkeeper recorded a clean sheet in the Gunners' 4-0 victory over Aston Villa in the 2015 FA Cup Final?
Betting Odds and Predictions for Manchester City vs. Chelsea
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: MCI -160 Draw +360, CHE +370
FanDuel: MCI -170 Draw +340, CHE +370
BetMGM: MCI -150 Draw +340, CHE +340
Bet365: MCI -163 Draw +333, CHE +375
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Manchester City (DWWWW) saw an eight-match winning streak in all competitions come to an end Thursday with a scoreless draw at Sunderland. Over the winning streak, City had averaged 2.63 goals per match. The Cityzens have conceded just once across their last five league tilts.
Chelsea (DLDWW) have taken only six points from their last five Premier League matchups. Over their last three fixtures, the Blues have sandwiched a loss to Aston Villa between draws to Newcastle and Bournemouth.
FORMATIONS
Manchester City are most likely to line up in a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 shape. When City control possession, look for Guardiola's tactical nuances to take shape as a full-back will move into the midfield, allowing the likes of Bernardo Silva or Phil Foden to take-up a position further up the pitch.
Chelsea's manager upheaval is not expected to shift the style of play from the squad. Expect to continue to see the familiar tactics of a 4-2-3-1 with an emphasis on controlling games. When in possession, look for a Chelsea full-back to join the attack to create a 3-3-5 look in the opponent's half.
CONFIRMED LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Manchester City Injury News & Lineup Notes
Pep Guardiola is nursing injuries and absences throughout his roster ahead of Sunday's clash with Chelsea.
In the midfield, Nico Gonzalez (calf) was forced off at halftime of City's 0-0 draw at Sunderland in favor of Rodri. The former Ballon d'Or winner was, himself, returning from injury, as a hamstring knock caused him to miss 14 of their 15 fixtures preceding the Sunderland draw. If Gonzalez is unable to play and Rodri is limited, look for Rico Lewis to deputize in the midfield holding role when needed.
Mateo Kovacic (Achillies) remains a long-term absence with timelines suggesting a potential March 2026 return.
In defense, John Stones (thigh) is set to miss his sixth successive league fixture Sunday. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol continue to soak up the majority of minutes in central defense as Stones recovers. Contributing to the diminished depth in the defensive ranks, full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri (not injury related) is unavailable as he serves on duty with Algeria at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In attack, Savinho (undisclosed) was forced off with an injury after 51 minutes of play versus Sunderland and is unavailable for Sunday's tilt, according to Guardiola. Omar Marmoush (not injury related) will also be unavailable for selection as he represents Egypt at AFCON. In their absences, look for Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden to absorb the lion's share of minutes on the wings for City while Rayan Cherki and Bernardo Silva support the attack in roaming attacking-midfield roles.
Chelsea Injury News & Lineup Notes
Chelsea's most pressing injury concerns are with star full-back Marc Cucurella (hamstring). Cucurella missed Chelsea's draw versus Bournemouth and is questionable for Sunday's match against Manchester City, according to interim manager Calum McFarlane. However, Cucurella has resumed training and could be an option Sunday. If he is unable to feature, look for Malo Gusto to switch from his familiar right-side of the formation to cover the potential vacancy left by Cucurella's absence.
In the midfield, Moises Caicedo (suspension) was shown his fifth yellow card of the campaign versus Bournemouth and will be unavailable for selection Sunday. In his absence, look for Andrey Santos to feature in a like-for-like switch or for Reece James to display his versatility and join the midfield double-pivot.
Long-term injuries for the Blues include Dario Essugo (thigh), Romeo Lavia (quadriceps) and Levi Colwill (knee).
Essugo has yet to play a minute this season after undergoing surgery in September. The perpetually hobbled Lavia has logged just 179 minutes this season and is currently recovering from a muscle injury he suffered just eight minutes into Chelsea's draw at Qarabag FK in November. Colwill suffered a significant ACL injury in August and is not expected back this season.
KEY MATCHUPS
Rodri versus Cole Palmer
Palmer and Rodri offer an intriguing matchup Sunday as each are play a starring role for their teams and are rebuilding their fitness after injury absences.
Palmer is the further along in his reintegration to match fitness. The attacker has scored twice across his last four appearances (four starts) but has not played past the 79-minute mark in any of the four appearances. Conversely, during City's 0-0 draw versus Bournemouth, Rodri played his first 45 minutes since early November.
With Guardiola short on options in the No. 6 role, expect the talented tactician to use Rodri and a second, swarming teammate to squeeze the space around Palmer throughout Sunday's fixture. Whether Palmer is able to catalyze the Chelsea attack or if City are able to contain their former academy starlet will impact the number of goals scored over the 90 minutes.
Dias & Gvardiol versus Joao Pedro
An intriguing clash of an in-form striker versus a stingy central defensive pairing awaits Sunday.
Dias and Gvardiol are the primary central defensive pairing that has led the Cityzens to the second-best defensive record in the Premier League, averaging 0.89 goals conceded per match. Conversely, Pedro has scored three goals across his last five appearances (four starts).
The Chelsea striker has excelled in out-muscling defenders and sweeping balls home at the goalmouth this season. If Gvardiol and Dias are able to contain the physicality of the Brazilian striker, expect a slow day at the office for Chelsea's No. 9.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Erling Haaland has not scored a goal in either of his last two league apearances, marking just the second time this season the Norwegian striker has gone successive appearances without a goal. A glance at the striker's career goal-scoring record describes why one should not anticipate Haaland going scoreless in a third straight appearance.
Haaland is likely to face Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile in the center of the Chelsea backline, without all-world destroyer Caicedo in a holding role protecting the back-four. Chalobah has been the most consequential center-back for the Blues this season, but a consistent pairing has yet to be established ahead of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
With Chalobah and Co. having struggled with their positioning to defend balls into the box this season, including two long-throw in goals conceded versus Bournemouth, I expect Haaland to simply bully the Chelsea defensive unit Sunday and score at least once.
RESULT
Manchester City 3 - Chelsea 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Manchester City: Dec. 7 vs. Brighton
Chelsea: Dec. 7 at Fulham
