Chelsea vs Manchester City – Premier League – Preview, Team News and Updates

16 Aug 2024 ScoreWaves Staff view

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Premier League is back!! After several months without club football, fans can finally rejoice, as the English top-flight kicks off in less than 24 hours. And in the very first gameweek of Premier League football, we have a blockbuster clash between two English giants.

Yes, the reigning English champions Manchester City face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Gameweek 1. Both the clubs have huge domestic and continental pedigree, and fans have already started to salivate in anticipation of this blockbuster tie. However, both clubs go into this tie in contrasting form. On one side, you have Manchester City, fresh off winning four straight Premier League titles. On the other, there’s Chelsea, who have struggled significantly, finishing 12th and 6th in their last two seasons. So, which team could start their Premier League season with a bang?

Chelsea vs Manchester City – Match Preview

The 2024/25 season marks the start of a new chapter for Chelsea, as former Leicester City coach Enzo Maresca takes over the Chelsea hotseat. However, he will have his work cut out because the Blues begin their Premier League campaign against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Furthermore, the Italian head coach will be under immense pressure to succeed after years of underachievement. But if Chelsea's preseason is any indication, Maresca has plenty of work to do on the training ground.

The Blues managed to win just one of their six preseason games, that too a 3-0 win against Mexican side, Club America. Chelsea suffered defeats at the hands of Real Madrid, Manchester City and City on their preseason tour to the USA. They finished their preseason with a 1-1 draw against Italian champions, Inter Milan. The Blues look nowhere near ready enough to face an opponent of City’s caliber on Matchday 1. The Citizens tore them to shreds in their preseason matchup, brutally exploiting Chelsea’s lackluster defense and poor build-up play.

Moreover, despite splashing the cash on nine new signings, Chelsea still don’t have a proven No.9 on their squad. It will be a miracle if Chelsea defeats City on opening day. But you never know, anything can happen in the Premier League. Moreover, City themselves will be reeling from the departure of Julian Alvarez. The Argentinian had established himself as a key player for Pep’s City. However, the Citizens are English champions for a reason, and they will be brimming with confidence after their Community Shield triumph against Manchester United. So, could City maintain their winning form against Chelsea on Sunday?

Chelsea vs Manchester City – Team News and Updates

The Citizens possess a stacked squad, which is the envy of every club in the league. However, a few of City’s standout preseason performers could miss the Premier League opener against Chelsea. Jack Grealish missed City’s Community Shield triumph against United because of a knock. As a result, he could miss the Premier League opener against Chelsea.

However, one player who would surely miss the Chelsea clash is Oscar Bobb. The 21-year-old Norwegian winger suffered a leg break in training and will be out for a few months. This is terrible news for City and their fans, as Bobb was the most impressive City player in preseason. Apart from Bobb and Grealish, pep will have most of his key players fit and ready for the blockbuster tie against Chelsea.

For Chelsea, Reece James will be sidelined after suffering yet another hamstring injury. However, early reports have indicated that James has escaped a serious injury. Besides Reece James, Enzo Maresca could also miss the services of Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi and Omari Kellyman. Having said that, Chelsea fans would be excited to see the likes of Pedro Neto, Marc Guiu and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall make their debuts on Sunday.