Man City have led at half‑time and won each of their last five home league games
Chelsea have conceded early goals in three of their last six Premier League fixtures
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Manchester City will be looking to close the gap to leaders Arsenal when they welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium for Sunday’s Premier League clash.
Pep Guardiola’s side were frustrated at the Stadium of Light on Thursday when they began the year by dropping points against Sunderland.
But they are in much better form than Chelsea, whose run of only one win in seven league games has seen them fall down to fifth place in the table.
The Blues parted company with head coach Enzo Maresca this week and have handed the reins to Under-21s boss Calum McFarlane while they work on appointing a permanent successor.
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Team news
Manchester City suffered fresh injury blows on Wearside, with Savinho and Nico Gonzalez both forced off, adding to a growing absentee list.
The pair could join Oscar Bobb (hamstring), John Stones (thigh) and Mateo Kovacic (heel) on the sidelines, while Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait‑Nouri remain away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt and Algeria respectively.
Chelsea will assess Marc Cucurella, but Levi Colwill (knee), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh) and Jorrel Hato are expected to miss out.
Moises Caicedo is suspended after collecting his fifth booking of the season. Interim boss McFarlane is likely to deploy Cole Palmer in an advanced midfield role ahead of Enzo Fernandez and Reece James.
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The stats
Manchester City have won eight consecutive home league matches.
City have led at half‑time in seven of those eight Etihad Stadium victories.
Chelsea have conceded the opening goal in three of their last six league games.
Erling Haaland has scored in three of his past four meetings with Chelsea.
Only Burnley and Aston Villa have conceded more top-flight goals than the Blues in the first 10 minutes this season.
Manchester City have scored more first-half goals than any other club in the Premier League (21).
City have led by two goals at half-time in their last four home league contests.
Chelsea have conceded two or more goals in four of their last six Premier League games.
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Prediction
Manchester City have been hard to stop in front of their own fans this season, winning all eight games at the Etihad Stadium since a shock 2-0 reverse against Tottenham in August.
City have tended to hit their opponents early and control games from in front and that will be how Guardiola envisages his side doing it against Chelsea.
The Blues have made far too many sloppy starts in games, conceding inside the opening 10 minutes in three of their last six league assignments.
That trend, together with their overall slump in form, has seen them drop out of the top four and will have been among the reasons for the recent change of head coach.
Chelsea’s defensive fragility has become a major concern. They have been giving up high‑quality chances through individual errors and poor organisation. Their young back line has potential, but the Etihad is an unforgiving place to learn on the job.
City’s pattern of fast starts, which almost continued with an early strike against Sunderland that was ruled out for offside, combined with Chelsea’s habit of falling behind, makes the HT/FT angle particularly appealing.
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The latest Manchester City vs Chelsea odds are available on LiveScore Bet
