Manchester City will be presented with the Premier League trophy this Sunday if they wrap up the title as expected against Chelsea. For the Blues, a win would keep them in 11th with 46 points.
Manchester City vs Chelsea
English Premier League
Sunday 21 May – 17:00
Etihad Stadium
How this game ends up – at least from a City perspective – largely depends on whether Pep Guardiola’s men are able to reset again and focus on their pursuit for the Premier League title. The events of earlier in the week against Real Madrid aside, City need to simply win the game and they will be crowned Kings of England (again).
A lot has been made of the squad available to Pep, and whether rotation is something we should consider from a betting angle…I mean, its non-sensical to even consider! City have unbelievable depth, the sort of depth those at FIFA Financial Fair play might have wanted to consider a while ago, but we don’t talk about that anymore.
I know this is going to sound rather straightforward, and maybe even obvious, but the first goal in this game is going to be crucial. If City get it early, those home fans are going through the roof, and it might just get awkward for Frank Lampard and Chelsea. We don’t need to analyze anything here – it’s Manchester City against Chelsea!
Manchester City need just one more win to become Premier League champions, again. 🔵✨ #PremierLeague
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 14, 2023
It’d be the third PL title in the last three years — fourth in the last five years for Man City under Pep Guardiola. pic.twitter.com/ZyhoZf44N2
To Win Match
Manchester City 2/7 | Draw 5/1 | Chelsea 9/1
Chelsea have been a horribly inconsistent team this season. Nothing about the club seems to make sense either, the appointment of Frank Lampard, the experience Todd Boehly has had so far or why they have registered the performances they have given the quality in their team.
Nottingham Forest illustrated why everyone jumping up and down about Chelsea getting their first win under Lampard against Bournemouth was premature. I didn’t think they deserved the win against the Cherries, and even after they looked to be in control against Forest – there was no confident belief to put the game to bed!
I can’t accurately predict which Chelsea team turns up here, or what sort of performance we will get from them, which is why I’m going to take credence from the opposition they are facing.
They face the champions-elect…it’s all you need to know!
Title Permutations:
- Arsenal loses to Nottingham Forest on Saturday
- Arsenal draws with Forest; City win the league if they win/draw against Chelsea
- Arsenal beat Forest and City beat Chelsea
Predicted Line-ups
Manchester City: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Laporte, Walker, Gundogan, Rodri, Alvarez, Mahrez, Foden, Haaland
Chelsea: Kepa; Chalobah, Silva, Badiashile, Hall; Kovacic, Fernandez, Gallagher; Madueke, Felix, Sterling.
Verdict: Man City + Over 3.5 Goals (33/20)
I think City wins the game – that’s a banker. However, for more value I think getting on City as well as the game becoming a goal feast is well worth the price! If City get off to a good start, I think the energy inside that stadium becomes palpable and I see them running Chelsea off their feet.
