90min

Chelsea vs Man City - Premier League: TV channel, team news, lineups & prediction

By James Cormack

These two sides met in the Carabao Cup third round earlier this season
These two sides met in the Carabao Cup third round earlier this season / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
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The first of back-to-back meetings between Chelsea and Manchester City takes place at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night as the two sides pit their wits against each other in the Premier League before they meet in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Graham Potter oversaw a disappointing draw at Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day with a long list of injuries playing a major role in their malaise either side of the World Cup break. The Blues are well off it at the moment and an ominous test awaits in the form of the champions.

Arsenal may well be the front-runners through 16 games, but City aren't half bad - even if they did drop points at home to Everton last time out. Erling Haaland bagged his 21st league goal of the season on New Year's Eve and the demonic Norwegian now has his sights set on an intriguing duel with Thiago Silva.

Here's 90min's preview of Manchester City's trip to Chelsea on Thursday night.

Where are Chelsea vs Man City playing?

  • Location: London, England
  • Stadium: Stamford Bridge
  • Date: Thursday 5 January
  • Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

How to watch Chelsea vs Man City on TV and live stream

United Kingdom

  • Sky Sports Main Event
  • Sky Sports Premier League
  • Sky Sports Ultra HDR

United States

  • Peacock Premium

Canada

  • fuboTV

Chelsea team news

The Blues' injury list is lengthy. Potter will be without Armando Broja (ACL), N'Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell (both hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (calf) on Thursday.

Reece James is also out of action for another month after he re-injured his knee in the victory over Bournemouth after Christmas.

On a brighter note, Mateo Kovacic should make his first start since the conclusion of the World Cup after he earned minutes off the bench at the City Ground.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Man City

Chelsea starting 11 (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount; Ziyech, Havertz, Sterling.

Man City team news

Guardiola handed some of his players a body language warning in the build-up to Thursday's game. The Spaniard has left Joao Cancelo and Phil Foden out of the starting XI in City's opening two games after the World Cup, but neither are believed to be nursing any sort of injury.

Ruben Dias is expected to miss the trip to Stamford Bridge with a hamstring issue, while Aymeric Laporte is a doubt with a back problem.

World Cup hero Julian Alvarez could make Pep's squad for the first time since the tournament's conclusion, but he won't start with Haaland set to lead City's line in west London.

Man City predicted lineup vs Chelsea

Man City starting 11 (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Akanji, Ake; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden.

Chelsea vs Man City score prediction

Both sides dropped points in their previous outing, but Chelsea were particularly poor and their performance at the City Ground would suggest they're in for a tough few weeks.

Given their injuries, the Blues are ill-equipped to compete with the champions, whose vulnerabilities again manifested against Everton on New Year's Eve. Given Arsenal's current form, City can ill-afford to drop points at their current rate. The Gunners are seven points clear at the top and could extend their lead to ten by the time this fixture rolls around.

However, given Chelsea's injuries and Potter's structural issues, the visitors should triumph in west London.

Score prediction: Chelsea 1-3 Man City

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