Manchester City vs Chelsea preview: New signings could feature against top-four rivals

By Ric Turner, Sat 25 January 2025 10:08


Manchester City vs Chelsea preview: New signings could feature against top-four rivals Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush all in contention as Dias and Doku miss out

Manchester City vs Chelsea

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 5.30pm, Saturday 25th January 2025

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Referee: John Brooks Assistants: S Bennett, D Robathan Fourth Official: L Smith VAR: N Davies

Odds: City 11/10, Draw 3/1, Chelsea 9/4

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ortega, Ederson, Ortega, Stones, Reis, Gvardiol, Akanji, Khusanov, Simpson-Pusey, Lewis, Kovacic, Grealish, De Bruyne, Silva, Nunes, Foden, Marmoush, Haaland, Savinho

Injured: Rodri, Dias, Doku, Bobb, Ake

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: LWDWW

Chelsea

Manager: Mauricio Pochettino

Squad (from): Sanchez, Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Disasi, Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Chilwell, Chalobah, James, Gusto, Fernandez, Palmer, Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo, Neto, Madueke, Felix, Jackson, Nkunku, Sancho

Injured: Fofana, Badiashile, Lavia, Kellyman

Doubtful: Colwill, Fernandez

Suspended: Mudryk

Form guide: WDWDL

New signings Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush all come into the squad for the visit of top-four rivals Chelsea. However, Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku miss out through injury.

It is unknown whether any of the trio will start on Saturday, but manager Pep Guardiola said that his new signings are settling in well.

“We didn’t train much because we travelled, games, travel so we didn’t make a training session all together. he said at Friday's press conference.

“Omar Marmoush was the first and the other ones trained a little bit but not all together. But they’re fine, Vitor is young, has a huge personality but needs time.

“Khusanov is already settled for the fact of playing in the French league and handling tough, fast players. He doesn’t speak much English, more French, so communication will one of the situations we have to deal with.

“And Omar, yesterday was the first training session and I think he’ll adapt quickly.”

City drew their last home game against Chelsea 1-1, with Rodri scoring for the hosts. Overall City have won 67 of the 179 games played against the Blues, with 41 draws and 71 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Akanji, Stones, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Savinho, Haaland

Score prediction: City 2 Chelsea 2