Verdict: Antoine Semenyo over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In what is a blockbuster Premier League battle on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City will travel to Stamford Bridge when they meet Chelsea.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, while Chelsea might have extended on their FA Cup adventure last time out as they marked their return from March’s international break with a routine 7-0 romp against League One strugglers Port Vale, the pressure on Liam Rosenior’s shoulders remains at a boiling point. Despite enjoying an initial immediate boost following Rosenior’s shock arrival in west London, the Blues have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Free-falling out of the Premier League’s top-four, Chelsea have lost each of their other four appearances across all competitions. Watching their Champions League charge come to an empathic end on March 17th as they slumped to an 8-2 aggregate defeat against reigning European champions PSG, Rosenior’s squad have also shown some rather glaring defensive struggles.

Chelsea Team News

Suffering yet another injury setback last month after sustaining a hamstring injury, Chelsea will once again be without skipper Reece James this weekend. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance so far this season, fellow England international Levi Colwill is still recovering from a long-term knee injury.

Enjoying an impressive maiden campaign in west London after arriving from Brighton last summer, Joao Pedro has registerted 14 Premier League goals so far this season and will spearhead Chelsea’s charge. Despite failing to find the net in his last seven appearances for club and country, ex-Man City starlet Cole Palmer will partner Pedro in attack.

Manchester City

As for the visitors, watching their respective Champions League adventure come to a crushing end last month as they slumped to a 5-1 aggregate defeat against bitter European foes Real Madrid, Manchester City found themselves at the heart of their own public rut. However, facing what is a must-win showdown in the race to pile more pressure on runaway leaders Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side have certainly claimed an essential domestic boost on either side of March’s international break, Crowned EFL Cup champions last month following a rugged 2-0 victory against the Gunners at Wembley, City will be looking to lay down another heavyweight marker when they return to the capital. Likewise, storming their way to a stunning 4-0 FA Cup romp at home against Liverpool last week, Guardiola’s side will be dreaming of a repeat performance at Stamford Bridge.

Team News

Undergoing surgery over the festive period after suffering a leg fracture, Manchester City will travel to west London without Croatian international Josko Gvardiol. However, settling for a spot on the bench against Liverpool last week, number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will return between the sticks.

Bagging a sensational FA Cup hat-trick at the Etihad and putting Liverpool to the sword, striking superstar Erling Haaland will spearhead City’s attack. Likewise, getting on the scoresheet in Manchester last week and making a remarkable immediate impact since completing a January switch from Bournemouth, Antoine Semenyo will join Haaland in the final third.

Chelsea vs Manchester City Key Factors to Consider

• When Chelsea and Manchester City met for their reverse Premier League battle on January 4th, Sunday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at the Etihad.
• Man City have not suffered a single Premier League defeat against Chelsea since way back in May 2021.
• Despite their FA Cup romp against Port Vale last week, Chelsea have lost each of their other four appearances across all competitions.
• The Blues have also won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all formats within 90 minutes.
• Seven of Chelsea’s last eight appearances have finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Storming past Liverpool last time out following what was a stunning 4-0 romp at the Etihad, Manchester City will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Knowing that they face another must-win battle in the race to keep their Premier League title dreams alive, Guardiola’s side will be desperate to pounce on a Chelsea squad who have faced a public backlash over the past couple of months. In what is a blockbuster English battle from Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, neutrals will be hoping for another thriller from SW6 this weekend.

Verdict: Antoine Semenyo over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet