Manchester City vs Chelsea – Betting Tips and Premier League Preview

With Manchester City and Chelsea currently nine and eight points respectively behind Liverpool in the Premier League table, both teams cannot afford to lose this game if they aspire to clinch the title in May next year. City resume league action having lost 3-1 at Anfield prior to the international break and with their aim of securing a third successive league title becoming less likely. Meanwhile, the Blues are building some winning momentum in league action and could really upset Pep Guardiola if extending their recent excellent away form. A fascinating game is expected between these two English heavyweight outfits.

That 3-1 loss for Manchester City at Liverpool was a third Premier League defeat of the season for Guardiola’s team with at least two goals conceded in those losses. City have also registered just one clean sheet in six outings which suggests that defensive uncertainties remain following several injuries in the back-line. However, City remain a potent force at the Etihad despite incurring a 2-0 defeat by Wolves during early October, as they have won each of their other previous seven matches at the venue.

Chelsea will arrive in Manchester having won their last seven competitive contests on the road including an impressive 1-0 Champions League victory at Ajax. Yet none of the five Premier League victims beaten on away soil reside in the current top seven of the league table, although at least two goals have been scored by the Blues in each of those victories. Two concerns for Chelsea will be their last visit to the Etihad where they were beaten 6-0 by City back in February with the hosts scoring four times during a one-sided first half, and a 4-0 loss at Old Trafford on their last visit to the City of Manchester at the beginning of August.

Team News

Leroy Sane (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (knee) and Aymeric Laporte (knee surgery) are all unavailable at City. Ederson Moraes could return as he recovers from a muscle injury, but Bernardo Silva will be suspended.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (calf), Antonio Rudiger (groin) and Marco Van Ginkel (knee) are not expected to feature for Chelsea while Ross Barkley (ankle) and Christian Pulisic (groin) could be available but will be assessed nearer to kick-off. Jorginho should return after serving a one-game suspension.

Prediction

It is worth noting that both teams have scored in the last five Premier League away matches played by Chelsea, and their recent 4-4 home draw with Ajax is indicative of a team capable of scoring goals but with defensive vulnerability. Hosts Manchester City have also been among the goals in recent weeks having netted at least twice in five of their six competitive matches last month. However, opposition teams have breached the City defence in their last four outings. Therefore a good bet may be for Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to Score priced at 4/5 with bet365.

A second pick is for a Chelsea to Score in the Second Half offered at Evens by bet365. During the last twelve competitive games involving the Blues, they have netted at least once during the second period with those goals spread amongst the team. There have been only three Chelsea matches this season in which they have not scored a goal after the interval. It is also worth noting that City have conceded second-half goals in three of their last four matches.