Manchester City and Chelsea will meet on Sunday, and the match could be critical for the Premier League title race. City needs just one win to secure the title, and they will be favorites to do so at home. Pep Guardiola’s men have been in rampant form lately, having won six consecutive games, while Chelsea sits at 11th in the league table and has failed to win five of the last six league matches.
Their last Premier League encounter saw Manchester City pick up a narrow win at Stamford Bridge, and they will be hoping to complete the league double over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. In their most recent clash, Manchester City thumped Chelsea 4-0 in the FA Cup back in January. However, Chelsea has caused upsets this season and may look to cause another one, which could delay City‘s title party for another week.
Manchester City doesn’t have any notable injury concerns and is likely to field its strongest lineup. They are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Rodri and Ilkay Gündogan are expected to control their midfield, with Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden providing creativity and flair on the wings. Behind Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne would play as the central attacking midfielder.
Chelsea has several injury issues to deal with, with Reece James, Mason Mount, Armando Broja, Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, and N’Golo Kante all injured. They are expected to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation with Joao Felix leading the line and Enzo Fernandez alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher in midfield.
Erling Haaland will be the player to watch in the match. The Norwegian has been in tremendous form, with 36 league goals so far this season, and he will look to add to his tally in this important encounter. Haaland has seven goals in his last ten outings and will look to punish a vulnerable Chelsea defense.
The match will be crucial for both teams, but Manchester City will be firm favorites to pick up all three points, considering their form and momentum, especially with Chelsea currently struggling. The Hard Tackle predicts a comfortable 3-0 win for Manchester City.
