Manchester City vs Chelsea news: Cityzens can kill Tuchel’s title challenge
- Seb Sternik
- 14 January 2022
The biggest game of the season is upon us as Chelsea travel to Manchester City in a desperate attempt to keep their title hopes alive.
With the Blues currently second in the table and 10 points behind the league leaders, Thomas Tuchel's men have no room for error as they look to hand Man City just their third defeat of the season.
On the other hand, Pep Guardiola's men have an opportunity to all but kill Chelsea's title aspirations. Should the Cityzens pick up their 12th straight Premier League victory, they will be 13 points ahead of Chelsea with just 16 games remaining.
When: Saturday, January 15, 12:30 GMT
Where: Etihad Stadium
Where to watch: BT Sport
Who is the ref for Man City vs Chelsea
Recent form
Chelsea, on the other hand, have only lost one of their last 24 games. That may sound impressive, but Tuchel's side have only picked up six wins from their last 12 matches in all competitions.
Man City vs Chelsea players in form
The man to watch ahead of this blockbuster clash is Kevin De Bruyne. The Man City midfielder loves to haunt his former employers, having scored four times against Chelsea - his second-highest goal tally against one particular club.
The Chelsea centre-back produced two high-quality performances against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final. As well as scoring in the second leg, the German also picked up the Man of the Match award.
Last three matches
Gabriel Jesus scored the only goal of the game when these two teams clashed in the early weeks of the season.
Raheem Sterling opened the scoring for the hosts as City went into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.
Hakim Ziyech levelled the score in the 63rd minute before Marcus Alonso sealed the win with a last-minute strike.
Past ten matches
Man City wins: 5
Draws: 0
Chelsea wins: 5
Man City goals: 14
Chelsea goals: 10
Manager's thoughts:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said: "Football is every day, the last two games are not the best games we've played. It's constant evolution, there are periods you play good and you have to sustain that as long as possible.
"That is the test we have ahead of us. They are champions of Europe, excellent in all departments, experienced with personality. Another test, another game to try to win, make three more points and come back in our best way."
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel: "I don't expect anything special tomorrow because it's a league game and they are comfortably ahead. So they will try to be the best version of themselves. I don't expect anything new; just the best of City. And that is enough to deal with."
Predicted Man City vs Chelsea teams
Man City are likely to be without Phil Foden and Oleksandr Zinchenko who are believed to be the two players affected by the recent Covid-19 outbreak at the club.
Riyad Mahrez is also away as he looks to defend the Africa Cup of Nations title with Algeria.
With regards to Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel is still without Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen and Edouard Mendy.
Man City vs Chelsea prediction
You simply can't go against Manchester City at this moment in time. Pep Guardiola's men are powering towards another Premier League title and there's very little anyone can do about it.
