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The upcoming Premier League clash between Manchester City and Chelsea on February 17, 2024, at Etihad Stadium promises to be an electrifying encounter.
Set to kick off at 18:30 WAT, this Round 25 fixture pits second-ranked Manchester City against Chelsea, who currently sit in the 10th position, making for an intriguing match-up given their contrasting forms this season.
Team form
Manchester City enters this game on a hot streak, having won their last several matches convincingly against teams like Copenhagen, Everton, Brentford, Burnley, Spurs, and Newcastle.
On the other side, Chelsea has had a mixed bag of results; despite winning against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, they've suffered defeats to Wolves and Liverpool, alongside drawing with Aston Villa and demolishing Middlesbrough.
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Head to head
Both teams have formidable players who could turn the game on its head. Manchester City's recent head-to-head record against Chelsea has been dominant, with victories in most of their recent encounters, including a notable 4-0 thrashing in the third round of their last meeting.
Their last clash ended in a dramatic 4-4 draw, showcasing the potential for a high-scoring affair this time around.
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Team news
Injury concerns could play a role in the match's dynamics, with both teams potentially missing key players.
Manchester City's lineup is almost at full strength, with key players Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne back in action after missing parts of the season due to injuries. Their return is a massive boost for the squad, overshadowing the absence of other players.
However, the team has hit a snag with Josko Gvardiol sidelined for a few weeks due to an ankle ligament issue. Additionally, the participation of Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva in the upcoming games hangs in the balance after they suffered injuries in the recent Champions League victory against Copenhagen.
On a brighter note, Sergio Gomez, who missed the Copenhagen trip, might soon see action again. Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic is on the brink of a comeback, expected to resume training before the weekend, signalling potentially good news for the team's midfield options.
Man City predicted lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Akanji; Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland.
Chelsea's season has been marred by a lengthy injury list. Coach Mauricio Pochettino faces the prospect of playing without Thiago Silva, who exited during the 3-1 triumph over Crystal Palace.
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On a positive note, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez might make a bench appearance after joining the team for partial training sessions.
The injury woes deepen for Chelsea as Wesley Fofana, Lesley Ugochukwu, Marc Cucurella, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, and Benoit Badiashile are sidelined, compelling the team to cobble together a makeshift defence for their upcoming engagements.
Chelsea predicted lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Colwill, Chilwell; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Jackson; Nkunku.
Prediction and betting tip
Tactically, Manchester City's fluid attacking style, led by the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, contrasts with Chelsea's approach, which has seen moments of brilliance but also inconsistency.
Manchester City's ability to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities could be key, especially against a Chelsea side that will need to be at their defensive best while exploiting any counter-attacking opportunities.
Predictions favour Manchester City, reflecting their superior form and head-to-head record. Dimers.com's predictive model gives Manchester City a 74.5% chance of winning, with a most likely scoreline of 2-0 in favour of the home team. Betting odds also heavily favour Manchester City, highlighting the expected difficulty of the task facing Chelsea.
While Manchester City is heavily favoured to win, the unpredictability of football, especially in a high-stakes Premier League clash, means anything can happen.
Where to watch
Fans can look forward to a thrilling match that will be available for live viewing on DSTV via the Supersports channel
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