Manchester City vs Chelsea, two modern clubs in a modern rivalry. The match today is going to serve as a trailer of what’s to come in the Champion’s League final. However, the final is still three weeks away, and a lot lies on this fixture for the two teams domestically. Man City could be crowned champions of England with a win while Chelsea need a win equally to keep up their momentum in the top-four chase.
Let’s get into the finer details.
When, Where is it, How to Watch in India
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Kick-Off: 10:00 PM (IST), 8th May 2021
How to watch: The match will be broadcasted on Star Sports Select 2 (HD), and can be streamed on Hotstar.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: Head-to-Head
These two have been locking horns long before their emergence on the big scene. However, cumulatively the H2H is strongly on Chelsea’s side, though the recent meetings have largely gone City’s way. In fact, no team has won more games against Man City than Chelsea in the competition’s history.
At Maine Road/Etihad Stadium
Played: 23
Manchester City: 9
Chelsea: 12
Draw: 2
Opta Stats
- None of the last 11 Premier League meetings between Manchester City and Chelsea have finished level, with the Citizens winning seven to Chelsea’s four. Man City had only won seven of their first 36 Premier League meetings with the Blues (D7 L22).
- Chelsea have lost their last three away league games against Man City by an aggregate score of 9-1. Their last win at the Etihad was in December 2016 under Antonio Conte (3-1).
- Victory for Manchester City would see them win the Premier League title for the fifth time, with only Manchester United (13) winning the trophy more since its foundation in 1992.
- Manchester City have lost only one of their last 24 home Premier League games against London sides (W20 D3), going unbeaten in each of their last 14 such matches (W12 D2), since losing 2-3 versus Crystal Palace in December 2018.
- Manchester City have kept 18 clean sheets in 34 Premier League games this season, one more than they’d registered across the entire 2019-20 campaign – their highest such total in a single season in the competition is 20 in 2018-19.
- Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in 11 of their 15 Premier League games under Thomas Tuchel – the most shutouts recorded by any manager in their first 15 games in the competition’s history. The Blues are looking to win three league games in a row without conceding for the first time since November 2017.
- Having failed to win any of his first five meetings with Pep Guardiola in all competitions, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel won the last meeting between the two managers in the FA Cup semi-final last month.
League Position
Manchester City: 1st
Chelsea: 4th
Form (Last 5)
Manchester City: WWWWW
Chelsea: DWDW
Team News
For Manchester City, John Stones will be missing as he serves his last of the three-match ban. No other injuries or suspensions to deal with for Guardiola, but we can expect to see the usual rotation.
For Chelsea, Mateo Kovacic (hamstring) is still doubtful after missing the midweek second leg against Real Madrid. Otherwise, Tuchel has a full squad to choose and rotate from.
Prediction
The outcome of this match could give us an idea as to what happens in the Champion’s League. Both will be vary of the final, and perhaps won’t want to throw too much away in terms of tactics. Given how good both teams have been defensively, I think this could be a match in which the defenses come out on top. Both teams will take a draw as it isn’t the worst result for either of them. It will take City closer to the title and a point at Etihad is good for any visiting team.
Prediction: Man City 0-0 Chelsea