Yahoo Sports Chelsea vs Manchester City (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How to Watch
Manchester City commence their fourth consecutive Premier League title defence in search of a fifth, as they travel to face Chelsea on Sunday evening at Stamford Bridge.
A historic 2023/24 season for Manchester City saw the club win a fourth Premier League title in a row, an achievement never seen before in English football, pipping Arsenal to the title on the final day.
Although a disappointing FA Cup final defeat would follow soon after, the blues are back in action 84 days later in the Premier League, with a tricky encounter against former City coach Enzo Maresca on the cards.
It has been an interesting summer for City, with Sergio Gomez and Julian Alvarez jetting off to Spain, and signing for Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid respectively, while Brazilian winger Savinho has joined from Troyes and is looking to make his Premier League debut on Sunday.
With the European Championships and Copa America played over the summer, the affect has transferred over to the Manchester City camp, with tournament champion Rodrigo ruled out of Sunday’s clash by Pep Guardiola.
The role was occupied by youngster Nico O’Reilly in the Community Shield against Manchester United last weekend, although we suspect he might take a back step this week with more on the line against Chelsea.
As the Premier League champions take centre stage once again for another season, here is everything you need to know ahead of the clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon!
Match Details
Manchester City travel to Stamford Bridge in West London to face Chelsea in the Premier League, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 GMT.
Team News
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodrigo is ruled out this weekend, with the Spaniard returning to the City Football Academy during the week, and with the Premier League opening weekend coming too soon having not restarted training ground activities.
Manchester City also suffered a devastating blow during the week, with Oscar Bobb suffering a fractured bone in his leg in training, ruling him out for “between four and five months.” Elsewhere, Jack Grealish is back in training following his absence last weekend.
For the home side, Reece James is suspended after getting sent off in the final match of last season. Otherwise, the hosts have a fully-fit squad.
Head to Head
The two clubs faced off in Columbus, Ohio during their pre-season tour of the United States, which saw the sky blues emerge as 4-2 victors in their final warm-up game, including a hat-trick from none other than Erling Haaland.
Chelsea’s last victory over Manchester City came in the UEFA Champions League final in 2021, with Thomas Tuchel’s side earning a 1-0 victory in Porto, courtesy of a first-half Kai Havertz goal.
The two Premier League clashes last season saw a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium, as well as an infamous 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge, with endless twists and turns in an action packed thriller in West London.
Statistics
Chelsea have spent over £1.2 billion on players since their last victory over Manchester City, just three years ago.
Manchester City have scored nine goals in their last four visits to Stamford Bridge, including four the last time the blues travelled to London.
Pep Guardiola has never faced Enzo Maresca in his managerial career, with the Italian formerly part of Manchester City’s backroom staff before taking on a managerial job at then-Championship side Leicester City.
Chelsea are winless in their last six Premier League meetings with Manchester City (D2, L4), since a 2-1 away win in May 2021.
Since losing the UEFA Champions League final in May 2021, Manchester City are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Chelsea in all competitions (W7, D2) – it’s their joint longest run without defeat against the London club in their history (also 9 between 1936 and 1949).
No team has earned more points from their opening matches of the Premier League season than Chelsea (67), with only Manchester United picking up more wins (21) than the Blues (20).
This is the first time Chelsea have begun a top-flight campaign with a match against the reigning champions since 1971/72, when they lost 3-0 against Arsenal at Highbury.
Manchester City have won their opening Premier League match in 12 of the last 13 seasons, with the exception being a 1-0 loss at Tottenham in 2021/22.
How to Watch
For viewers in the United Kingdom, you can view the match live on TNT Sports, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 GMT.
For viewers in the United States, you can view the match on Peacock, with kick-off scheduled for 11:30 EST.
You can find the full list of global TV listing for Chelsea against Manchester City here!
