Notable numbers
A 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek left Man City on the brink of an early exit from the UEFA Champions League.
However, in the Premier League, Man City has had a significant change recently, winning 10 points in the last 4 matches to keep their hopes of entering the Top 4 alive. If they defeat Chelsea at home at Etihad Stadium, Man City will take over the 4th position from their opponents.
After a run of just one win in nine Premier League games since the start of November 2024 (D2 L6), Man City have won three of their last four (D1). Guardiola's side have scored 14 goals in that run, more than in their previous 11 games (13).
However, a 2-2 draw with Brentford after leading 2-0 and a comeback loss to PSG after also leading 2-0 exposed the fragility of Man City's defence. The defeat to PSG marked the first time Man City have lost a game after leading by 2 goals in any competition since May 2021 - a 2-3 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League.
Guardiola has already bolstered his defence with the January 2025 acquisitions of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis. Both centre-backs could feature against Chelsea, with Ruben Dias a doubt. New signing Omar Marmoush could also make his City debut, following his move from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Before leaving Eintracht, Marmoush had scored 15 goals and 9 assists in 17 Bundesliga games in the 2024-2025 season, and 20 goals and 13 assists in 26 games in all competitions.
Phil Foden has been in great form recently, scoring in three consecutive Premier League games (five goals in total). Foden has never scored in four consecutive Premier League games before.
Kevin de Bruyne is also a notable factor for the Etihad team. He has directly participated in 4 goals in the Premier League in the last 3 matches. The Belgian midfielder has also scored 5 goals against his former team Chelsea in previous meetings.
However, this will be the last time Man City face Chelsea in the Premier League when they are below their opponents in the rankings since the 2016-2017 season. In that season, Antonio Conte's Chelsea beat Man City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in round 30, before winning the championship.
Chelsea's title hopes were dashed as Enzo Maresca's side went five games without a win. The run only ended last weekend when Chelsea beat Wolves 3-1, with Noni Madueke scoring.
Madueke is now looking to cement his place as a starter, and his partnership with Cole Palmer has been a positive for Chelsea. Palmer and Madueke have created 25 chances for each other in the Premier League this season, the most of any pairing in the competition. Meanwhile, Palmer's 17 chances for Madueke is the most any player has created for a specific teammate this season.
Chelsea have struggled away from home recently, failing to win any of their last three Premier League away games (D2 L1). They have scored just one goal in their last three away games, a far cry from the 23 they scored in their previous eight.
Head to head record between Man City and Chelsea
Man City are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League meetings with Chelsea, winning five and drawing two since a 1-2 home defeat in May 2021.
Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League away games against Man City, a 1-0 win in February 2014. In those 16 games, Chelsea have failed to score in seven.
In the first leg of the season, Man City beat Chelsea 2-0 with goals from Haaland and Kovacic.
Man City vs Chelsea match takes place at 0:30 on January 26.
