Man City vs Chelsea - Premier League team news and prediction
Manchester City can be crowned Premier League champions with a win over Chelsea today and while the focus for both sides will be the Champions League final later this month, today's clash is still one to keep an eye on.
Ahead of the game at the Etihad Stadium, we provide all the need-to-know pre-match information, including what time the game kicks off, where to watch the match, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Saturday 8th May, 17:30 GMT
Where is the match?
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event
Form Guide
Both of these sides will be riding high following their respective progression to the Champions League final is midweek as Manchester City and Chelsea got the better of PSG and Real Madrid, respectively. City have lost just three times in 2021, but one of those was to Chelsea in the FA Cup last month to deny Pep Guardiola's side the chance the quadruple.
The Blues come into Saturday's Champions League dress rehearsal unbeaten in six in all competitions and they have lost just one game away from Stamford Bridge - a 1-0 Champions League defeat to FC Porto at the Roman Sanchez Pizjuan - since Thomas Tuchel succeeded Frank Lampard as Chelsea boss.
Team News
Aymeric Laporte will come into the side at the expense of the suspended John Stones as Manchester City seek to secure the Premier League title. Victory here will see them wrestle the crown back from Liverpool and Pep Guardiola may name a strong XI for the welcome of Chelsea as a result. After scoring at Crystal Palace last week, Sergio Aguero may rotate into the side, while Benjamin Mendy and Joao Cancelo could also feature at left and right-back respectively.
Mateo Kovacic is a confirmed absentee for Chelsea, though he is expected to be available for the west London side next week for the welcome of Arsenal. Cesar Azpilicueta was struggling towards the end of the Blues' 2-0 win over Real Madrid, so may be rested. Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Reece James are among those looking to return to the side.
Probable XIs
Manchester City (4231) - Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Mendy; Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Foden; Aguero
Chelsea (3421) - Mendy; Zouma, Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Mount, Pulisic; Havertz
Key Battle: Phil Foden vs Kai Havertz
Phil Foden is one of the favourites to land the Young Player of the Year award and it isn't a huge surprise. The Manchester City star (7.12) is the best rated player aged 21 and under in England's top tier this term, and after a spell watching on despite calls to start Foden, Pep Guardiola managed the England international's game time accordingly and is reaping the benefits.
Now a first team regular for City, Foden has jumped at the chance to nail down a starting berth. The 20-year-old has had a direct hand in 12 goals, scoring seven, after all! He had a direct hand in two of City's three goals in their 3-1 win at Chelsea back in January, though the Blues are a tougher proposition since Thomas Tuchel succeeded Frank Lampard.
One of those to benefit from Lampard's dismissal earlier this year is Kai Havertz. The German arrived with a huge reputation and with it, massive pressure to transfer his Bayer Leverkusen form to Chelsea. A young player in a new league in the midst of a global pandemic, it was never going to be plain sailing for Havertz.
Under compatriot Tuchel, however, Havertz has begun to carve out a regular role in the side, leading the charge well. Three of the four league goals he has scored have come in his last three outings, and he did provide the late assist for Callum Hudson-Odoi's consolation at Stamford Bridge in Chelsea's 3-1 loss to City in January.
Score Prediction: Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
