Premier League action returns to our screens this weekend, and round 35 of the campaign serves up some mouth-watering fixtures. Four games are scheduled to be played on Saturday, with the top of the bill attraction pairing Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. Both clubs were fighting for a place in the Champions League just a few days ago but now resume the battle for league points.
Man City are Premier League champions in waiting and are simply running down the clock as they prepare to lift the trophy that will be delivered from Anfield. The Cityzens will end this campaign fully deserving of their prize and have been in great form this year. Chelsea has improved in 2021, and their form means they have secured a top-four finish in the league. They will be playing Champions League football again next term. Do they have enough in the tank to push Leicester for third? We’ll find out in the coming weeks of the season.
Man City and Chelsea are no strangers to meeting in competitive action, of course. The home team are out for revenge after being eliminated from the FA Cup last month by the Blues, beaten 1-0. Ziyech scored the only goal of that game to end City’s dreams of a domestic clean-sweep, so they will be out for revenge. Will the locals get it?
Man City deserving champions
Manchester City lost their grip over English football last season when Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool won the trophy. The Reds claimed the title at a canter but could not continue their form this season and failed to land a blow on the Cityzens. Man City have been consistent throughout the season, and when they do pick up the most famous piece of silverware in British football, it will be nothing short of what they deserve. They are top of the league in the closing stages with a massive lead over Man Utd in second and the rest of the chasing pack.
The home team did suffer a shock 2-1 loss at this venue when hosting Leeds United last month. The Elland Road club scored one of the shock results of the season with a double from Dallas enough to see them snatch the points despite playing all of the second half with ten men after Cooper was ordered off on 45 minutes. The second goal for Dallas was scored against the run of play deep into stoppage time at the end of the game.
Since that defeat to the Peacocks, Man City have knocked Borussia Dortmund out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the FA Cup last four then beat Aston Villa in the league, Spurs to win the EFL Cup and PSG in the Champions League. It has been a dramatic few weeks for fans.
Chelsea have been robust under Tuchel
Chelsea sacked Frank Lampard earlier in the season following a poor run of form, replacing the former blues and England midfielder with Thomas Tuchel. The new boss has already impacted Stamford Bridge, dragging his side to the final of the FA Cup, the latter stages of the Champions League, and into the top four of the Premier League. 2020 finished in disappointment, but 2021 has given Chelsea fans much more to shout about.
With a five points advantage over the Spurs in fifth, it looks like Chelsea will hold off competition from their city rivals and finish in the top four, securing Champions League football for next season. There’s still work to do on that front, but they are finishing strongly and looking likely to get themselves over the line, securing a place in UEFA’s elite at the expense of Spurs, who have recently sacked manager Jose Mourinho.
The visitors have won each of their last two league games, beating West Ham United 1-0 in East London before downing Fulham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last weekend. They won the latter thanks to a double from Havertz, one on either side of the interval. Confidence is high in the away dressing room.
Man City vs Chelsea prediction
This is a match involving two giants of English football and two teams in great form. It will be the second outing of the week for these clubs following their midweek Champions League exploits. The fact Man City and Spurs are probably going to finish in their current position, and there’s not too much danger coming from the teams below, we could see them coast through the 90 minutes, happy to take a draw and avoid defeat.
When looking through the trends associated with this fixture, we note that both teams have scored in three of the last four meetings. The spare was that narrow 1-0 win for Chelsea last time, but that was in the FA Cup. Will we see this game fall into line and produce another free-scoring 90 minutes? Those planning to watch the live TV action certainly hope so.
When Manchester City last hosted Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, it was November 2019, and the home team edged a nervy match by a 2-1 final score. The goals that day came from de Bruyne and Mahrez, with Kante hitting back for the beaten team. Chelsea took the lead that day but conceded two goals in the latter stages of the first half.
Premier League odds
The pre-match betting odds attached to this fixture has Manchester City priced at 1.81 while Chelsea backers can get their hands on 4.58 at 22bet. Prefer to back the draw? The level finish is 3.52.
More than 100 pre-match betting markets are available on this fixture at 22bet, so members don’t have to stick to the most basic 1-X-2. There are both teams to score, over/under goals, handicap, first goalscorer, correct score and more. Check out what’s available on the site before placing your bets. You may find a better way to gamble on the game than you are used to.
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