The Manchester City vs Chelsea clash is going to be the major clash of the game-week 20 of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, as the two heavyweights fight to have a strong start to 2026 in their upcoming meeting at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 4 January.
Manchester City vs Chelsea is expected to be a highly entertaining match because of the eagerness of both teams to get a win, with the Cityzens eager to move closer to the top spot and Chelsea aiming to close their gap on the top-4 after the stunning exit of Enzo Maresca.
Match Details
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Sunday, January 4
17:30 GMT
Hungry Manchester City Look To Pile More Misery Onto Vulnerable Chelsea
The Manchester City vs Chelsea clash should be an action-packed game because of the kind of quality that both teams possess amongst their ranks. However, it’s definitely the Cityzens which has a bigger chance of getting a commanding victory as they’re playing on their home turf and against a Chelsea side that doesn’t even have an experienced manager right now.
Manchester City have won four of their last five matches, but they cannot afford to drop more points because of how Arsenal seem to be surging their way onto consolidating their strong onto the top spot. Pep Guardiola will need his side to play clinical football again in order to put Chelsea to the sword in the upcoming game.
All the Chelsea players can do is to make their fans proud by being brave, gritty and decisive with their performance to outwit the Cityzens. Manchester City have won their last three straight games against Chelsea, and aim to extend that record with a memorable performance at the Etihad Stadium.
Can Devastating Erling Haaland Regain His Goal Form Against Chelsea?
Erling Haaland has been a major driving force for Manchester City in the 2025/26 season, having scored 19 goals in as many Premier League matches so far. He will, however, be hungry to regain his goal-scoring spree and get his 2026 off to a solid start in the upcoming match against Chelsea.
Haaland has already scored four goals in six matches against Chelsea in his career, and will be determined to increase that in the upcoming match at the Etihad Stadium. He will look to use his physicality and smart movement to scurry his way past the defenders, get into the right positions. and put chances away clinically to guide Manchester City to a big win.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Enzo Maresca exit: What Really Led to Chelsea’s Exit and the Explosive Claim That’s Rocking the Club
Cole Palmer Determined To Haunt His Former Side in Etihad Stadium Return
Cole Palmer has had a frustrating first half of the 2025/26 season because of injuries, as he failed to reach the highs experienced in the FIFA Club World Cup success for Chelsea. The Englishman has only three goals in nine Premier League appearances so far and is aiming to regain his best form in the second half of the campaign.
Palmer, a former Manchester City player, will be aiming to be the tormentor for them in his return to the Etihad Stadium. He should look to be smart with his link-up play to drive his side forward, but needs to be really efficient with his finishing and final third passes to uplift Chelsea’s attacking threat and help them come away from the stadium with a profitable result.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Injuries
Manchester City injuries: Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Oscar Bobb, Savinho
Chelsea injuries: Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, Moises Caicedo (suspended), Marc Cucurella (doubt)
Manchester City vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups
Knowing the severity of the game, both Pep Guardiola and Chelsea caretaker boss Calum McFarlane will look to field their strongest lineups for this clash. Here, we look at the Manchester City vs Chelsea predicted lineups:
Manchester City predicted XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Tijani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland
Chelsea predicted XI: Robert Sanchez, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Andrey Santos, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sportimage
Recording Date: 30.12.2025
