Man City vs Chelsea
Premier League 2018-19
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Date: Sunday, February 10, 2019
Kick-off: 4pm GMT
Manchester City face their third Premier League title test in a gruelling week as the champions host Chelsea on Sunday.
Man City leapfrogged Liverpool into first place in the table on goal difference with wins over Arsenal (3-1) on Sunday and Everton (2-0) on Wednesday, though Jurgen Klopp's side went back on top by beating Bournemouth at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola knows that City will end the weekend above Liverpool with a win over Chelsea, but Maurizio Sarri's Blues - who are fighting for a top-four finish - will be confident of causing problems with Gonzalo Higuain and Eden Hazard in form.
Man City vs Chelsea team news and predicted line-ups
Man City
Benjamin Mendy is nearing a return from a knee injury, and could be in contention to face Chelsea.
Captain Vincent Kompany is still out, while Claudio Bravo (Achilles) is a long-term absentee.
Guardiola is expected to restore the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling to his starting XI, while Leroy Sane should start after being taken off with half an hour to spare vs Everton.
Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Danilo, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, D. Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Sane
Chelsea
Sarri's only absentee is Marko van Ginkel - recently added to the Blues' Premier League squad - as he continues to recovers from a serious knee injury.
Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Rudiger, Alonso, Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic, Willian, Higuain, Hazard
Score prediction: Man City 2-1 Chelsea
Man City will feel the weight of expectation to get another big result in a tough week, but Guardiola can rotate his attack this weekend.
City are formidable at home and will set a Premier League record if they score twice - the 15th time in a row they would have done so.
Chelsea took Huddersfield apart 5-0 last weekend with Higuain and Hazard starring, but their previous result - a 4-0 loss at Bournemouth - means there is no telling what sort of performance the Blues will turn in at the Etihad.
Sarri has had more time to prepare than Guardiola, so Chelsea should at the very least be tighter in defence on the road this time around - but City will likely edge this game.
Man City vs Chelsea tickets
To check ticket availability, click here to head to Man City's website.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Man City to win: 40/85
- Draw: 18/5
- Chelsea: 11/2
First goalscorer odds
- Sergio Aguero: 16/5
- Gonzalo Higuain: 9/1
- Gabriel Jesus: 10/3
- Eden Hazard: 9/1
- Raheem Sterling: 11/2
- Willian: 18/1
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports' Premier League and Main Event channels, and is available via Now TV with a day pass on offer for £7.99. Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.
You can follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Head to Head history (h2h) and results
The two sides have faced each other 43 times in the Premier League: Chelsea dominate with 25 wins to City's 11, with seven draws.
Guardiola has lost three League games against Chelsea - more than any other in his managerial career - making the Blues his bogey team, with a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in December hitting his side's title hopes.
