Kick-off: 1630, 03/01/2021
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
TV: Sky Sports
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is in need of a big performance ahead of Sunday’s visit of Manchester City following a moderate run of results of late.
The good news is the hosts have come out on top in this corresponding fixture for the past two seasons and City have been hampered by a troubled preparation.
We’re backing Lampard to silence his critics with a 2/1 triumph at Stamford Bridge for our first Chelsea vs Man City prediction.
A Look At Chelsea’s Betting Odds
Lampard earned plenty of plaudits for leading big-spending Chelsea to a 17-match unbeaten run from late September to mid-December – but the tide has turned since then.
The Blues suffered three defeats in four Premier League games before being held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa at this venue on Monday.
Those results saw them slip down to sixth in the table and put Lampard among the favourites to be the next top-flight manager to leave his post.
Chelsea’s slump in form has come during Hakim Ziyech’s injury absence, with Lampard stating: “I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
“The way he was playing, he was being very effective for us in terms of assists, goal creation, chance creation and some goals.
“He got injured against Leeds when we were in a great run of form, so I think it has been a point.
“You are going to miss players at that level when they drop out and we want him back.”
However, it must also be noted Chelsea’s defeats came away to decent foes in Everton, Wolves and Arsenal – even if the last two have been below par this term.
On home turf, the Blues easily beat West Ham 3-0 and had chances to edge out high-flying Villa in an open contest.
Looking at the Chelsea vs Man City odds, we like 10/1 for the hosts to show their true worth with a 2-1 success this weekend.
Last Chelsea line-up: Mendy, Rudiger, Christensen, Chilwell, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Pulisic, Mount, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi.
A Look At Manchester City’s Betting Odds
Manchester City moved level on points with Chelsea when cruising to a 2-0 win over Newcastle at Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day and have a couple of games in hand.
However, they have been far from convincing when facing some of the Premier League’s stronger teams this term.
Pep Guardiola’s side were comfortably beaten by Leicester and Tottenham, laboured to a goalless draw when visiting neighbours United and were almost overwhelmed by Liverpool early on.
Other stalemates against Leeds, West Ham and West Brom highlight how City have been well below their usual high standards.
On top of that, Guardiola must contend with several absentees due to a coronavirus outbreak which led to Monday’s trip to Everton being postponed.
Guardiola has confirmed the club will have five players unavailable due to that issue, with Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus believed to be amongst them.
With doubts already surrounding their form, that makes the visitors seem very vulnerable at a ground where they were beaten 2-1 in June.
Christian Pulisic opened the scoring in that contest and 9/1 for him to break the deadlock again is added to our Chelsea vs Man City betting tips.
Last Man City line-up: Ederson, Dias, Stones, Ake, Cancelo, Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling, Torres.
Additional stats
Last result:
CHELSEA 1-1 Aston Villa – Olivier Giroud
MAN CITY 2-0 Newcastle – Ilkay Gundogan, Ferran Torres
Head-to-head: Chelsea 2-1 Man City, Man City 2-1 Chelsea, Chelsea 0-0 Man City, Man City 6-0 Chelsea, Chelsea 2-0 Man City
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