Match Coverage

Match Preview: Chelsea vs Manchester City (Premier League)

Published:

14:57

January 4th 2023

| Last Updated:

14:57

January 4th 2023

Freddie Pye

Manchester City travel to the capital on Thursday night ahead of a Premier League clash against Graham Potter’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The current reigning champions will be keen to bounce back from a disappointing result at the weekend, as Everton held Pep Guardiola’s side to a frustrating 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Erling Haaland had opened the scoring in the first-half following a dominant and largely bright opening spell from Manchester City, but that lead couldn’t be built upon as Everton grew into the game in the second-half before Demarai Gray scored a sublime equalising goal.

Following Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle United on Tuesday night, City now know that should they win against Chelsea on Thursday, then the gap between the two sides in first and second position would be cut back down to just five points.

That will be easier said than done however, with Chelsea looking to bounce back themselves after a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest this week and a run of inconsistent form across competitions.

For Manchester City, their playing squad is largely at full compliment, with Ruben Dias being the main exception as the Portugal international remains ruled out for the midweek clash through a muscular injury.

Aymeric Laporte – who is subject to a late fitness test – has been suffering from a back problem that ruled him out of action entirely against Everton, with Julian Alvarez taking his place in the squad following the Argentine’s return from FIFA World Cup celebrations.

When?

Chelsea vs Manchester City is scheduled to kick-off at 20:00 (UK) on Thursday 5 January.

Where?

Graham Potter and Pep Guardiola will go head to head at Stamford Bridge in West London, in the first of two clashes between the two sides in consecutive matches this week.