Chelsea host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge for their opening game of the new Premier League season. Chelsea will be looking for revenge after losing to City in the FA Cup semi-final, but it won’t be easy.
Enzo Maresca’s men have a poor head-to-head record against the Sky Blues, going three years without a win. Chelsea haven’t beaten City in their last nine meetings across the board, so they have a monkey on their back.
Chelsea strong on home soil
Chelsea finished 6th in the league last season, turning things around after a poor start. The Blues ended the campaign with five consecutive wins at home, so they’ll always fancy their chances at the Bridge.
Chelsea suffered only one top-flight defeat from their previous 13 at home. Enzo Maresca’s side took points off Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Manchester United at home last season too.
Despite Chelsea failing to beat City in nine meetings across the board, they drew both league clashes last season. The Blues drew 4-4 in November 2023’s meting at the Bridge and 1-1 in February 2024’s clash at the Etihad.
- 25/9/21 (Premier League) Chelsea 0-1 Man City
- 15/1/22 (Premier League) Man City 1-0 Chelsea
- 9/11/22 (EFL Cup) Man City 2-0 Chelsea
- 5/1/23 (Premier League) Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City
- 8/1/23 (FA Cup) Man City 4-0 Chelsea
- 21/5/23 (Premier League) Man City 1-0 Chelsea
- 12/11/23 (Premier League) Chelsea 4-4 Man City
- 17/2/24 (Premier League) Man City 1-1 Chelsea
- 20/4/24 (FA Cup) Man City 1-0 Chelsea
Man City big favourites to win
Despite Chelsea being strong at the Bridge, Man City are big favourites to pick up all three points. The Sky Blues won 10 and drew 1 of their last 11 league games in 2023/24. No side won more games and scored more goals on the road than Pep Guardiola’s men.
And with City making only one significant first-team signing over the summer, the squad is the same as last season. That continuity means City should start the campaign strongly, so Chelsea can’t afford to have an off day.
