Premier League

Man City vs Chelsea prediction

This weekend’s Premier League action kicks off with the most-anticipated game as leaders Manchester City host Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime.

Pep Guardiola’s side already have a 10-point lead at the top and are on an 11-game winning streak. Victory in this one would surely be the final nail in Chelsea’s coffin, if it hasn’t been hammered in already.

Victory for the Blues would at least cut the gap to seven and give Liverpool the opportunity to get within five points of the Citizens themselves. But how likely are Thomas Tuchel’s side to come away from the Etihad Stadium with all three points?

Manchester City did require a last-gasp winner at 10-man Arsenal two weeks ago before the FA Cup weekend. They weren’t at their best in North London but they were still able of getting three points against a top four contender none-the-less.

Arsenal’s opening goal was just the seventh conceded by Guardiola’s side during this winning run, of which they have averaged three goals per game with 33 in total. It is worth mentioning that Riyad Mahrez has scored in his last five for City, but is now over in Cameroon representing Algeria at the African Cup of Nations. The hosts won’t be short of attacking options in this match though with Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling all available. Most of their key players were rested in the FA Cup victory over Swindon Town this past weekend too.

Chelsea haunted Manchester City in both the FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League final at the end of last season and had started this season very well too. However, they’ve fallen apart over the past month, winning just one of their last five (D4). Drawing with Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool have seen them almost out of the title race at the midway point of the season.

Thomas Tuchel’s side conceded just four goals in their opening 12 Premier League games this season, but have now conceded 12 in their last nine alone. To add insult to injury, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is unavailable for the next few weeks as he represents Senegal at the African Cup of Nations.

Not the biggest value on the hosts but still a decent return provided they win. I am favouring a Manchester City win here.

Best bet: Manchester City to win is 1.73 with Betfair