Manchester City vs Chelsea predictions: Visitors can earn a draw at fragile City
&w=707&quality=100)
- Manchester City are fifth in the table
- Chelsea are fourth, two points better off
- Recommended bet: Draw
Fragile Manchester City threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in midweek and they face another testing evening when Chelsea visit in the Premier League on Saturday.
The 5.30pm kick-off pits fourth-placed Chelsea against City, who are fifth, as two teams who will hope to at least qualify for next season's Champions League go head-to-head.
Both have had their issues this season. with City unexpectedly falling way off the pace in the title race due to a dismal November and December, while the Londoners have been too inconsistent to stay in touch at the very top.
Team news
New signing Omar Marmoush could make his City debut after his move from Eintracht Frankfurt, while defensive duo Ruben Dias and John Stones both featured against PSG to boost Pep Guardiola's options at the back.
Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb and Rodri, however, all remain on the sidelines for the champions.
Chelsea midfield duo Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia missed Monday's clash with Wolves and they are both expected to sit out Saturday's clash too.
Trevoh Chalobah could start back-to-back games for the Blues after returning from his loan at Crystal Palace, with Levi Colwill doubtful again due to a knock.
Reece James and Cole Palmer both proved their fitness by starting on Monday and are likely to keep their places for the visitors.
&w=707&quality=100)
The stats
City are unbeaten in their last five in the league, winning three times and drawing twice.
Chelsea's win over Wolves ended a five-game winless streak in the league.
Chelsea have scored 11 goals in their last five games, while the Citizens have hit 22 in their last five outings.
Two of the last three league meetings between these two sides have ended in draws.
Prediction
Just when it looked like City were getting back to their best, Guardiola’s side squandered a 2-0 lead in the Champions League at PSG, ending up on the end of a damaging 4-2 defeat that leaves their hopes of making the knockout stages in doubt.
After outclassing Ipswich at the weekend to extend their unbeaten run at the time to six games, all City’s previous problems this season came back to haunt them in the French capital on Wednesday.
Now they must pick themselves up for a tough home game against Chelsea and, with their fragility once again there for all to see, the visitors can profit.
The Blues have been inconsistent of late, fading from potential title contenders to mere top-four hopefuls in recent weeks, but they are good enough to claim a point at the Etihad.
Maresca's men have responded to disappointing defeats over the festive period to Fulham and Ipswich to go on a three-game unbeaten run in the top-flight, drawing with Crystal Palace and Bournemouth before winning 3-1 at home to Wolves last time out.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
