- Here is the Man City vs Chelsea prediction article which breaks down form, key players and H2H meetings ahead of the clash.
- The match will be staged at Etihad Stadium on Sunday January, 4 2026.
- Kickoff is at 8.30pm EAT.
Chelsea travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on Sunday night without a manager, following the dismissal of head coach Enzo Maresca on Thursday.
This sudden change sets up a thrilling encounter in Round 20 of the Premier League.
The Blues kicked off the year with the disappointing news that Maresca had stepped down on New Year’s Day after just 18 months in charge.
ALSO READ: Enzo Maresca and Chelsea part ways after 18 months
Despite being named the Premier League’s Manager of the Month for November, results later declined.
The club secured only one victory from his final seven league matches, with his last outing at Stamford Bridge a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
While Bournemouth haven’t won since October, they did manage to take a point from their trip to West London.
Chelsea currently sit fifth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.
The Blues are just above Manchester United on goal difference, one point clear of Sunderland, two ahead of Everton, and three above Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Fulham.
Under interim boss Calum McFarlane, Chelsea will aim to turn their form around at the Etihad, where they face a formidable Pep Guardiola side.
City are also seeking to return to winning ways after ending the year with a disappointing goalless draw against Sunderland.
SportPesa odds under 2.5 @ odds 2.60
That result halted a six-match winning streak and cost them points that could have narrowed the gap with leaders Arsenal.
The Citizens have already been overtaken for second place by high-flying Aston Villa, who won on Saturday.
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Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Bournemouth extended their advantage over City to seven points, with the Gunners atop the table on 48 points to City’s 41.
Guardiola therefore has every incentive to fight for three crucial points at home to reignite their title challenge.
Here are the key details for the Manchester City vs Chelsea clash, along with betting tips for your wager at SportsPesa, which offers a variety of markets and instant payouts.
What time does Manchester City vs Chelsea kick off?
City host the Blues at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, January 4, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 8:30 PM EAT.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Team News
Manchester City will continue without Savinho (unspecified), Oscar Bobb (hamstring), John Stones (thigh), and Mateo Kovacic (heel), while Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait Nouri are away at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Chelsea have received a boost as Marc Cucurella could return on Sunday after being spotted in training.
On the downside, Moises Caicedo will be suspended after receiving a fifth yellow card.
He joins the injured contingent of Levi Colwill (knee), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh), and Jorrel Hato (unspecified).
Citizens vs Blues Predicted Lineups
- City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Silva, Rodri, Reijnders; Cherki, Foden; Haaland
- Chelsea:Â Sanchez; Acheampong, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; James, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
SportPesa odds under 2.5 @ odds 2.60
Manchester City vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record and Current Form
In all-time meetings across all competitions, Chelsea hold a narrow lead with 71 victories to City’s 67.
However, Chelsea’s last Premier League win against City was on 8 May 2021 at the Etihad (2-1), with goals from Hakim Ziyech and Marcos Alonso.
Manchester City are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League meetings (six wins, two draws).
At the Etihad, City have won eight of their last ten league clashes against Chelsea, drawing in February 2024 and losing the other in May 2021.
Last Five Meetings at Etihad Stadium
- 9 Nov 2022 | League Cup | Chelsea 0-2 Man City
- 8 Jan 2023 | FA Cup | Chelsea 0-4 Man City
- 21 May 2023 | Premier League | Chelsea 0-1 Man City
- 17 Feb 2024 | Premier League | Chelsea 1-1 Man City
- 25 Jan 2025 | Premier League | Chelsea 1-3 Man City
Current Form in All Competitions
- Man City:Â WWWWWD
- Chelsea:Â LWWDLD
Man City vs Chelsea Prediction and betting tips
Manchester City have won their last eight Premier League home games, scoring three or more goals in seven of those, including each of the last five.
Only Arsenal (28) have earned more points at home this season than City (24). City are also the league’s top scorers with 43 goals, and only Arsenal (12) have conceded fewer than their 17.
City enter this match as heavy favorites to win and secure all three points, buoyed by their formidable home record and a desperate desire to return to winning ways.
Chelsea, despite being managerless, remain a talented side capable of putting up a fierce fight, promising an engaging contest on Sunday night at the Etihad.