Pep Guardiola’s newly crowned Premier League Champions welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium looking to continue the insane winning run that has helped them overtake Arsenal and secure the title.
Man City come into the tie having won 13 of their last 14 Premier League matches and 19 of their last 23 in all competitions, leaving them on the edge of an unprecedented league, FA Cup and Champions League treble. They take on a Chelsea side playing for pride under the stewardship of Frank Lampard but whose players may have focused their minds ahead of the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino.
This game could take on a strange feel with neither side playing for anything and changes being likely so we’ve completed a stats pack guide breaking down the game to help you with your Man City vs Chelsea bet builder. You can learn more about how to use our Stats Pack by checking out our Stats Pack Guide here.
Do not miss out on Betfair‘s latest signup offer that could see you unlock £40 worth of free football bet builders:
Manchester City vs Chelsea confirmed Lineups
City likely to rest players ahead of huge cup ties
Guardiola has rotated his team for games depending on their importance and it’s a balance he has got right judging by the insane results they have posted. A number of changes can be expected again for the visit of Chelsea with Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez amongst those expected to return to the team in place of midweek heroes Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
Lampard still struggling to work out best XI
Frank Lampard hasn’t had the easiest ride since returning to Chelsea and his constant chopping and changing of the starting XI has proven that. Ruben Loftus-Cheek should return given he replaced Mateo Kovacic at half-time last week and that could lead to a change of shape. First-choice goalkeeper Kepa and centre-back Wesley Fofana are also in line for returns.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Team Stats
Dominant City the best at almost everything
Pep Guardiola teams are as dominant as they come and this Man City team are no different. They’ve scored the most goals and conceded the fewest. They’ve got the best xG and xGA. They’ve conceded the fewest shots and shots on target.
City also rank high as far as cards and corners go, having the second most corners per game and conceding the fewest, which should be expected given they spend so much time in the opposition third. They draw over two cards per 90.
Chelsea can’t find the right balance in attack
Despite their issues this season, Chelsea have been pretty competent defensively, conceding a fair number of shots but having the third best defensive record and 4th best xG against. They are woefully underperfoming going forward, a top half side for shots and shots on target but consistently failing to create good opportunities and even poorer at taking them.
Their frustrations are pretty evident with the number of cards they have accrued, ranking third in the league for most cards per 90 minutes.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Shots and Shots on Target Stats
A chance for Alvarez to shine again
Erling Haaland is recording insane levels and that is continuing even at this late stage of the season, managing a shot on target in his last seven matches in all competitions and last seven league matches too. He has overshadowed Julian Alvarez but the Argentinian is finding a new home in an attacking midfield position and has had two or more shots in four of his last five starts in that role and a shot on target in four too.
Felix posting big numbers for Chelsea
Joao Felix hasn’t had the desired impact for a weak Chelsea team this season but he hasn’t been afraid to get shots off at goal, having three or more shots in 12 of his 14 starts in all competitions and a shot on target in 11 of those. Connor Gallagher is one player to step up under Frank Lampard and he has been given the full 90 in his last two matches, recording a shot on target in both.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Goals and Assists Stats
Haaland continues to record incredible numbers
Where do you begin with the superlatives for Erling Haaland? The striker now has 36 Premier League goals, has scored 8 in his last 10 matches and is recording 1.45 goals and assists every 90 minutes played. He will be without his main creator Kevin De Bruyne but will have Riyad Mahrez in toe, the winger who has recorded 15 goal contributions from 18.5 90’s.
Chelsea need somebody to finally step up
It probably says plenty that Raheem Sterling has endured so many struggles this season but remains their most productive forward with nine goal contributions. He will be keen to add a tenth against the team he departed last summer. Joao Felix is second in the Chelsea goals and assists per 90 list, averaging 0.31 per 90 minutes.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Passing Stats
Pass masters City building from the back
Manchester City play with total dominance and are always worth a look when it comes to your bet builder. Rodri is available at 1.5 to attempt over 90 passes. He has averaged more than that per 90 minutes this season and attempted 87 in the away fixture against Chelsea despite his side having less than 60% of the ball. The only danger with passing numbers in your Man City vs Chelsea bet builder is that Guardiola has been making changes to freshen things up, so bet with caution.
Enzo Fernandez likes to see the ball
Chelsea one of the most possession-heavy teams in the Premier League but the likelihood is that they will see less of the ball away at Manchester City. That includes Enzo Fernandez, who is available at 1.62 to make 70 or more passes, but he managed just 22 in 56 minutes against Brighton and 39 in 70 minutes against Arsenal. I wouldn’t recommend a Chelsea inclusion on your bet builder for passing.
Manchester City Cards and Fouls Stats
City forwards not afraid to make a tackle
Man City see so much of the ball that they aren’t often required to commit fouls and take bookings but it doesn’t mean they are afraid to make the tackle when necessary to stop a transition. That includes forwards Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish, who commit more than a foul per 90 minutes and also Riyad Mahrez, who has committed a foul in his last four starts and may be worth looking at for your Man City vs Chelsea bet builder.
Chelsea draw a lot of fouls
There a number of places you can look and decide that Man City are going to be caused problems if and when Chelsea take the ball. Joao Felix is key, committing to over five dribbles per 90 minutes. He was fouled three times in his first start under Frank Lampard and two or more times in eight of 11 Chelsea starts. Wesley Fofana has been fouled in 11 of his 12 league starts for Chelsea.
Key matchups:
Rodri vs Conor Gallagher
Ruben Dias vs Joao Felix
Jack Grealish vs Wesley Fofana
Chelsea Cards and Fouls Stats
Gallagher keen to make an impression
Conor Gallagher is making his case for a regular starting spot in the Chelsea team and he has been a bit too keen to do that at times, committing over 2 fouls per 90 and picking up cards into double figures. Since being brought back into the fold by Lampard, he has committed eight fouls in 200 minutes. Wesley Fofana might draw plenty of fouls but he has also committed a foul in nine of his last 11 starts.
Grealish Always happy to take a kick for City
There isn’t a player in the Premier League fouled more than Jack Grealish and that isn’t slowing down despite the season drawing to a close, the winger being fouled two or more times in ten of his last 12 appearances in all competitions. Erling Haaland is a difficult man to stop and opponents are doing whatever they can do so – the Norwegian has been fouled in four of his last five Premier League matches.
Key matchups:
Conor Gallagher vs Ilkay Gundogan
Trevoh Chalobah vs Riyad Mahrez
Wesley Fofana vs Jack Grealish
Manchester City vs Chelsea Bet Builder Tips and Picks of the pack
I’ve done plenty of digging when it comes to this one, and I’ve used the stats above to make my own selections for today’s game.
I’ll be posting my bet builder once teams are announced, so make sure to check out my Live Tips Page so that you don’t miss it.
If you’re looking to add my selections to your own bet builder later on, then take a look at my Free Bets page as well if you’ want to ‘re looking to join a new bookie.
