Manchester City vs Chelsea: Betting tips and predictions

Imago Bernardo Silva could be pivotal to victory against Chelsea on Saturday — *Imago* Bernardo Silva could be pivotal to victory against Chelsea on Saturday

Manchester City state of play

Despite losing to PSG in midweek to put their Champions League survival at serious risk, Manchester City have picked up some positive results in the league in recent weeks. After going on a shocking run of nine defeats in 13 games, they've since won four of six.

That run includes a couple of demolition jobs against Ipswich and Salford, scoring 14 goals without reply. Now, those sides might not rank too highly on Pep Guardiola’s list of scalps, but City certainly showed flashes of their old selves.

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Crucially for the champions, star striker Erling Haaland is back among the goals. After a run of just one goal in eight games, he's now bagged five in his last five to take his tally for the season to 23 in all competitions.

But now comes the first big test in the league on a tricky fixture run that also includes Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Brighton in February and early March.

Chelsea state of play

Chelsea have recovered from a mini-blip of their own. Not long ago, they were being tipped as outside title contenders, but a five-game winless run (D3 L2) has seen them slip from second to fourth – now trailing leaders Liverpool by 10 points.

But they got back on track with a 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday, following up a solid point against an in-form Bournemouth side.

A major concern for Enzo Maresca will be the misfiring Nicolas Jackson. The Senegalese striker may have nine goals to his name so far, but he's failed to score in his last six outings. He’ll no doubt be licking his lips when he goes up against the worst defence in the top seven.

Key talking point: More misery on the cards for Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium?

Chelsea’s shock Champions League final triumph over City in 2021 is starting to feel like a real-life ‘sold your soul to the devil’ moment. Since then, the Blues are winless in their last 10 meetings and have suffered defeat in eight of them.

While Maresca has made an impressive start to life in the Premier League, getting the better of Guardiola takes time – even for his former right-hand man. A 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in August was proof of that, so don't be surprised to see the master outmanoeuvre the apprentice once again.

FIRST’s top tip for Manchester City vs Chelsea

Man City to beat Chelsea at 21/20 with BetMGM

Extra tips

Manchester City to win to nil is 18/5 - BetMGM

Of City's last eight wins in this fixture, Chelsea have failed to find the back of the net.

Manchester City to win to nil is 18/5 on BetMGM's bet builder.

Phil Foden to score anytime 39/20 - BetMGM

Phil Foden has really found his shooting boots of late, scoring five goals in his last three Premier League games. You can back him to score again at a tempting 39/20 with BetMGM.

Team news

City face an anxious wait over the fitness of Ruben Dias, who made his return from injury at the weekend but was forced off at half-time in midweek. He joins Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb as doubts, while Rodri is definitely out as he recovers from his ACL injury.

It's unlikely we'll see Kyle Walker in the matchday squad as he prepares for his move to AC Milan, while it's probably too soon for new signings Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis to start.

Chelsea have a couple of question marks themselves in Levi Colwill and Enzo Fernandez. Maresca will be desperate to have them both fit, but he will be without the injured Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile and suspended Mykhailo Mudryk.