Chelsea face a big test in their next Premier League match as they travel to Manchester to take on defending champions Manchester City this Saturday. Only two points separate the two teams in the league standings, both vying for a place among the Champions League spots at the end of the season. Currently, Chelsea sits in fourth position, just ahead of their rivals.
When these teams met in the reverse fixture, Manchester City emerged as 2-0 winners in the opening match of the season. A lot has changed since then. That game at Stamford Bridge was Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s first official match in charge. He was still assessing his squad’s capabilities after a preseason of mixed results. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s defending champions entered the season as favorites to win their fifth consecutive Premier League title.
In that opener, Maresca’s starting XI featured Cole Palmer on the right wing, Enzo Fernández in the midfield, and Christopher Nkunku on the left. However, Maresca’s current setup no longer includes Nkunku, as he favors two wingers flanking Palmer. Enzo Fernández, a key player in midfield, is expected to miss the upcoming match due to injury, as is Romeo Lavia, who had partnered Moisés Caicedo in midfield in that match against Man City.
Captain Reece James should return at right-back, replacing Malo Gusto, who has struggled to replicate last season’s form. At center-back, the pairing of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill initially started slowly. But they developed into a solid partnership before Fofana’s injury. However, Colwill missed the last match against Wolves due to injury.
For Manchester City, Phil Foden and Rodri were absent in the reverse fixture due to injuries. While Foden has returned and is back in form, Rodri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and is out for the season. Despite their strong start to the campaign, Manchester City’s form has dipped significantly. They have already suffered six defeats this season.
Before their win over Leicester City towards the end of 2024, City endured a run of 13 matches with just one win across all competitions, a streak that saw them fall from the top of the table to outside the top four. Injuries played a role in this slump. However, the last seven matches have shown improvement, with four wins and two draws. Players like Savio and Foden are contributing with goals and assists for the first time this season. Stars like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Ruben Dias are available and in form.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have had a mixed season since their opening defeat. They won all six of their UEFA Conference League group fixtures. In the league, they climbed to within two points of league leaders Liverpool before Christmas. However, a poor run of three points from a possible 15 saw them drop out of the top four. Last week’s victory over Wolves helped them regain fourth place, but injuries continue to pose challenges.
There are also managerial decisions that have drawn criticism. Enzo Maresca persists with Robert Sánchez as goalkeeper despite recurring errors in his game. Every match Sánchez starts feels risky, with mistakes often leading to goals for the opposition. Against Wolves, his error gifted Matt Doherty an easy goal, once again raising doubts about his reliability as a goalkeeper.
Similarly, Nicolás Jackson remains Maresca’s preferred striker despite a return to inconsistent finishing after a promising start. Players like Marc Guiu and Christopher Nkunku, who have excelled in the Conference League, have struggled to get minutes. Maresca’s reluctance to rotate also extends to midfielders like Renato Veiga, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Cesare Casadei, some of whom are reportedly considering moves away in the January transfer window.
On the positive side, a few players have been standout performers. Marc Cucurella has maintained his fine form since the start of last year, Cole Palmer remains one of the league’s top players, and Moisés Caicedo has been a consistent force in midfield. However, over-reliance on these players, with minimal rest, risks burnout.
With Liverpool leading the table at 50 points and Arsenal and Nottingham Forest tied at 44, Chelsea and Manchester City are in a tight race for Champions League spots. Teams like Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth are also in contention. Depending on results, Chelsea could drop as low as seventh with a loss to City. While there’s still half the season to play, Chelsea faces a challenging run of fixtures toward the end of the campaign. A slip in form now could make their target of finishing in the top four increasingly difficult which was a goal that seemed easily achievable earlier in the season.