Manchester City vs Chelsea Prediction: Back City to win by 2 or More

Manchester City slip up at Sunderland. Chelsea change their manager. Not ideal preparation before these two teams meet on Sunday at the Etihad. The hosts need to reboot their title bid. The visitors need to keep a whole host of teams from nipping at their fifth-placed heels. 

Pep Guardiola’s men unbeaten in seven but lacking any New Year cheer after stuttering at the Stadium of Light. Chelsea being overseen by Calum McFarlane before another manager takes on the poisoned chalice which comes with employment at Stamford Bridge. All things said, it should still make for an interesting encounter.  Let's check out Dan's Manchester City vs Chelsea Predictions...

*You can check out all of our Premier League Odds over on betfred.com

Team News

After his decision to rest key players at Sunderland backfired on New Year's Day, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will look to operate at full strength for the visit of Chelsea on Sunday. A decision that means Joško Gvardiol is expected to be start alongside Ruben Dias. 

This also means changes further up the field and with the transfer window now open, Savinho did himself few favours when it comes to staying in Manchester. His performance at Sunderland could see him edge closer to the exit door by the end of the month and it is likely to see Phil Foden out wide as Rodri slots into the centre of midfield. 

While Chelsea are expected to be led into battle by Calum McFarlane. Admittedly not a household name but the only name that is still working at Stamford Bridge at present. The current under-21 coach's first piece of tactical business will be assessing whether Marc Cucurella is available or not. 

The Spanish international defender missed the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in midweek but could be inline to return to the starting eleven along with Reece James who only came on at half-time during the same game. Plenty of options for McFarlane to work with - that may be the problem. 

Today's Football Fixtures

Match Odds: 

Manchester City are priced as favourites at 4/6 to win this game, with Chelsea the underdogs at 4/1. That gives the home team an implied win probability of 60% while a draw can be backed at 10/3. 

BTTS has been priced at 4/7 and over 2.5 goals is 1/2, while Erling Haaland is the favourite to score first at 9/4.  

*You can check out the full betting market and Manchester City vs Chelsea Odds over on betfred.com

Manchester City -1 Handicap Win @ 8/5 

Although Chelsea will arrive at the Etihad hoping for an element of new manager bounce, they may have to wait for a permanent successor to Enzo Maresca for that to kick in. Even with Manchester City's blip on Thursday they were always going to be favourites going into this game, their level of optimism arguably increased after what has happened at Stamford Bridge. 

Therefore, it is not a case of whether Manchester City will win or not on Sunday, it is more a case of by how much and this is where the handicap market grabs my attention. I think giving the hosts a virtual deduction before the game gets underway will make viewing more interesting. A two-goal margin of victory will get this one over the line. 

Chelsea Over 4.5 Corners @ 13/8 

Plenty of huff and puff for Chelsea but failure to blow the house down is how I view things at the Etihad and although the Blues may struggle in terms of getting on the scoresheet, they may at least be able to create a handful of chances. Something which points us in the direction of the corner offerings. 

Before their trip to Manchester, Chelsea have generated an average of 4.22 corners per league away game. Which means earning five or more is certainly in range on Sunday. Players will certainly keen to impress any new manager who is watching from a far and this will hopefully lead to opportunities being created - even if the goals do not follow.  

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• Points Staked: 40
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