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Man City vs Chelsea: Champions League final dress rehearsal to test both sides

After a thrilling midweek in the Champions League, Man City and Chelsea meet in a vitally important Premier League clash.

Best Bets

When: Saturday, May 8, 17:30 GMT

How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Ultra HD

Kevin De Bruyne to score first goal at 6/1 (Bet365)

Kai Havertz to score any time at 7/2 (Sky Bet)

Manchester City to win and both teams to score at 16/5 (Paddy Power)

The Champions League gets a dress rehearsal this weekend as Chelsea and Man City attempt to gain an early psychological advantage ahead of Istanbul.

Both teams were exceptional in midweek, with Man City overpowering Paris Saint-Germain before Chelsea outclassed Real Madrid.

There is plenty at stake domestically too, though, with Pep Guardiola's men knowing a win will secure the Premier League title.

Chelsea, on the other hand, are fighting hard to hold off the challenge of West Ham, Tottenham, and Liverpool to ensure they will play in next season's Champions League too.

Last Three Premier League Matches

Chelsea 1-0 Man City (April 17, 2021)

You don't have to go too far back to find the last meeting between these two sides, and it was a significant one.
They faced off in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, with City very much in the hunt for a historic domestic and European quadruple.
It was Chelsea who ended those hopes, though, with a Hakin Ziyech goal ten minutes after the break earning Thomas Tuchel's men a 1-0 win, as well as a spot in the FA Cup final.

Chelsea 1-3 Man City (January 3, 2021)

There is little doubt who was in charge when these two dies met back in January, although it was before Thomas Tuchel's time.

This result was likely a key factor in Chelsea's decision to sack Frank Lampard, and the evidence on the day certainly provided a degree of justification for that decision.

Man City ran riot in the first half of this match, with Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, and Kevin De Bruyne putting the Citizen's three goals to the good inside 35 minutes.
Callum Hudson-Odoi added a degree of respectability to the scoreline in the 90th minute, but it was never much of a contest.

Chelsea 2-1 Man City (June 25, 2020)

The 2019/2020 season was not a vintage one by Manchester City's recent standards, and they were no match for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in June after enforced suspension of the season due to the coronavirus crisis.

Running into Christian Pulisic in red-hot form didn't help either, and it was the American who opened the scoring with his seventh goal of the season in the first half.

Kevin De Bruyne equalised after the break, but a late Willian penalty sealed the points for the Londoners. Just to rub a little salt into the wounds, Fernandinho received a red card for the handball that led to the penalty.

Premier League head-to-head

Manchester City wins: 14

Draws: 7

Chelsea wins: 24

Manchester City goals: 49

Chelsea goals: 69

Nearly a wrap for Man City

There is little doubt that Manchester City have been the outstanding team in the Premier League this season, and the title has long looked an inevitability for them.
A win against Chelsea on Saturday would make it official, though, and put them completely out of reach of any of their rivals with three games to spare.

If they don't get the job done this weekend, they surely will in their remaining fixtures against Newcastle, Brighton, or Everton.

Chelsea still fighting

While Man City will be hoping they can wrap up the title and then take a breather to prepare for the Champions League final, Chelsea have no such luxuries.
They are currently sitting fourth in the table with four games remaining. West Ham are the closest side to them, but Tottenham and Liverpool are still hoping to crash the party.
Realistically, seven points from their remaining four games will likely be enough, but some stern tests await against Leicester and Arsenal, not to mention an FA Cup final to think about.

Goalscorer bets

Kevin De Bruyne has enjoyed playing against former club Chelsea before, and he will be confident of doing so again.
With odds of 6/1 with Bet365 to open the scoring, he is a man well worthy of backing.
For Chelsea, Kai Havertz is looking like he is beginning to blossom under compatriot Thomas Tuchel, and he is a very tempting 7/2 to score anytime with Sky Bet.

Related: Rice considered as Fernandinho replacement at Manchester City; Salah could leave Reds

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