Manchester City host Chelsea in a top of the Premier League table clash at Saturday lunchtime.
This will be the second time in Premier League history that these clubs face each other while sitting at the division’s summit. When the roles were reversed seven years ago, the league-leading Blues drew 1-1 with City.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game.
When is kick off? Saturday 15 January, 12:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Etihad Stadium
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport (UK), Peacock (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube, Match of the Day (10.30pm – BBC One)
Referee? Craig Pawson
VAR? Darren England
? Rodolfo Borrell says City hope to have Pep Guardiola back this week to personally oversee preparations ahead of next Saturday’s clash with Chelsea.
Download ? https://t.co/hquZ2Stav3
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 9, 2022
City have been embroiled in a COVID-outbreak affecting seven players and 14 members of staff, including manager Pep Guardiola. However, the Catalan coach, along with the majority of the impacted squad members, are expected to be available for Saturday.
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez is a guaranteed absentee, while John Stones’ involvement is doubtful while he recovers from a knock.
You can read Man City’s predicted lineup here.
Reece James is yet to make an appearance in 2022 after pulling up with a hamstring injury against Brighton on 29 December / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
Thomas Tuchel rested some key personnel for Chelsea‘s Carabao Cup semi-final with Tottenham in midweek, surely with the trip to the reigning Premier League champions in mind.
However, Reece James’ continued absence is far from voluntary as the wing-back is suffering from a hamstring injury he picked up at the end of 2021. Fellow defender Trevoh Chalobah is also a doubt after straining that same area, while Ben Chilwell remains a long-term absentee.
Edouard Mendy missed Senegal’s opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations following a positive COVID test, so is doubly unavailable.
You can read Chelsea’s predicted lineup here.
Thomas Tuchel completed a remarkable hat-trick of victories over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City after the German coach took the reins midway through the previous campaign; defeating the Sky Blues three times across three different competitions, culminating in the Champions League final.
City earned some revenge with a statement victory at Stamford Bridge back in September but Chelsea have beaten the reigning champions of England more often than any other club, across all competitions, during Guardiola’s illustrious tenure (seven).
Pep Guardiola (left) and Thomas Tuchel have faced off nine times with five different clubs / Pierre-Philippe Marcou – Pool/GettyImages
One position may separate the sides in the table but City are ten points clear of their closest challengers in second after more than half the season. City have the best home (and away) record in the Premier League this term, with a more prolific attack and parsimonious backline than Chelsea.
However, it took a high-spec pressing masterclass for Guardiola’s side to squeeze out a 1-0 win thanks to a Gabriel Jesus deflected goal in the reverse fixture. Chelsea have endured some mixed form this winter (compared to City’s unrelenting results) but will certainly test a squad that has been hit by COVID-19.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea