Now prioritising a top-four finish in the Premier League after seeing their title aspirations quashed earlier in the campaign, Manchester City and Chelsea do battle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.
The two teams lock horns for the first time since the opening day of the season in August last year when the Citizens secured a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Match preview
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Just when it looked like Man City were beginning to turn a corner, scoring 23 goals and conceding only four during a six-game unbeaten run, Pep Guardiola's side came crashing back down to earth with a disappointing 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Despite boasting a two-goal lead early in the second half, the Citizens capitulated - not for the first time this season - and conceded three goals in 22 minutes before Goncalo Ramos added a fourth for PSG in added time, leaving Man City deflated and now in serious danger of failing to qualify for the knockout rounds.
Sitting 25th in the Champions League standings and needing a win from their final match with Club Brugge next week to secure a last-16 playoff spot, Man City have now failed to win nine games across all competitions in which they were ahead - the most of any Premier League club this season.
Guardiola and co must dust themselves down quickly as they prepare for a challenging run of Premier League fixtures against Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest - a run that may define their season as they pursue a top-four finish.
Man City have lost each of their last three Premier League games played immediately after a European midweek match, but they are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight encounters with Saturday's opponents Chelsea (W5 D2).
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After enduring a blip in form either side of the New Year (D2 L2), Chelsea have since won two and drawn one of their last three fixtures in all competitions, picking up four points across their last two Premier League home games against Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The West Londoners salvaged a point at the death in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, before beating Wolves 3-1 on Monday. Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke helped Chelsea end a five-match winless run in the Premier League and seal their 11th top-flight success of the campaign.
Although he felt that Chelsea "could have scored more" against Wolves, head coach Enzo Maresca is pleased to have seen his side climb back into the top four, two points ahead of Saturday's opponents Man City in fifth whom they have struggled against in recent years.
Indeed, Chelsea have failed to win any of their last 10 meetings with the Citizens across all competitions (D2 L8) since beating Guardiola's side 1-0 in the 2021 Champions League final, three weeks after they claimed their last Premier League win over Man City (2-1) at the Etihad.
Chelsea have actually collected more points away from home (21) than at Stamford Bridge (19) so far this season, but they head to the Etihad this weekend without a win in their last three games on the road (D2 L1), while they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 PL away matches against Man City and have failed to score on seven occasions during this run.
Team News
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Man City are sweating over the fitness of Ruben Dias who asked to be replaced at half time in the defeat to PSG; the defender is doubtful along with Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku (both unspecified) and Oscar Bobb, while Rodri (ACL) remains sidelined and Kyle Walker is set to join AC Milan.
The Citizens have bolstered their squad with three new signings this week - Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis - and they are all in contention to make their debut on Saturday, although it remains to be seen whether Guardiola will be tempted to start any of the trio.
Jack Grealish will be pushing to start after contributing to both of City's goals in midweek as a substitute, but Guardiola will likely stick with Savinho on the left flank, while Kevin De Bruyne - who has scored five Premier League goals against former side Chelsea - could operate in behind central striker Erling Haaland.
As for Chelsea, Romeo Lavia (muscle), Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (thigh) and Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended) all remain unavailable for selection, while Levi Colwill (unspecified) and Enzo Fernandez (muscle) are both doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Although Robert Sanchez has been directly responsible for making four errors leading to goals this season, including his latest against Wolves last time out, Maresca defended his first-choice goalkeeper on Monday and may stick with him once again on Saturday. Filip Jorgensen is waiting in the wings if needed, though.
It remains to be seen whether Reece James will be fit to start back-to-back Premier League games, so Malo Gusto could be recalled at right-back, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could retain his starting spot in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo if Fernandez is not deemed fit to start.
Former City winger Jadon Sancho will be pushing to start ahead of either Madueke or Pedro Neto, while star playmaker Cole Palmer - another ex-City man - is set to continue in a central role in behind striker Nicolas Jackson.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
We say: Manchester City 2-2 Chelsea
An entertaining contest with plenty of goalmouth action could be on the cards at the Etihad between two attack-minded teams who have struggled to keep the ball out of their own nets throughout this season.
Man City could be boosted by their trio of January arrivals and have a strong recent record against Chelsea, but Maresca's men may find a way to frustrate the hosts and claim a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
