Chelsea’s visit to the Etihad Stadium was always going to be tough, but recent events have made it even harder. After head coach Enzo Maresca was fired, Manchester City goes into Sunday’s Premier League match as the clear favorites.
The London team has not beaten Pep Guardiola’s side since the 2021 Champions League final. Currently, City is on an 11-match unbeaten streak against Chelsea in all competitions.
Chelsea Starts a New Chapter Amid Uncertainty
There is rarely a dull moment at Stamford Bridge, and the New Year kicked off with another big change as Maresca was let go after 18 months in charge.
Even though he brought home two trophies, the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup, his position became unstable due to inconsistent league results. Chelsea only managed two wins in their last seven Premier League games, prompting the club's owners to make a change.
If he had stayed, Maresca might have faced questions about his ties to Manchester City and potential plans for Guardiola’s succession. Instead, Chelsea travels north without a permanent head coach, adding more uncertainty ahead of a tough match.
Poor Away Form Adds to the Challenge
Chelsea’s recent form is concerning. In all competitions, the Blues have only won two of their last nine matches, stalling momentum at a critical time in the season.
Their record at the Etihad Stadium does not inspire confidence. Chelsea has not won any of their last seven visits across all competitions, with their last victory occurring in May 2021 under Thomas Tuchel.
Several managerial changes later, the club is still searching for a win in Manchester, knowing another loss could hurt their chances for a top-four finish.
Manchester City Looks for Quick Response
Manchester City’s six-match winning streak in the Premier League ended with a goalless draw against Sunderland on Thursday. Although the match ended in a tie, it was competitive, with the hosts putting up a strong performance.
Therefore, Sunday’s match becomes even more important, with Guardiola’s team under pressure to get back to winning.
Manchester City Predicted Lineup
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Silva, Rodri, Reijnders; Cherki, Foden; Haaland
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
Sanchez; Acheampong, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto; James, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
