Chelsea vs Manchester City prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2024-08-17 15:30.
[p]It’s been anything but quiet around Stamford Bridge over the summer, with Enzo Maresca the latest manager tasked with trying to bring some order to the chaos at Chelsea. The former Leicester manager is the fourth different permanent head coach to work under Todd Boehly’s leadership in the past two years, but the early signs haven’t been good with just one win from their six pre-season matches (D2, L3). [/p]
[p]That’ll all be forgotten if Maresca’s men can hit the ground running when it matters against reigning English champions Manchester City. However, since beating Pep Guardiola’s men 1-0 in the 2021 Champions League final, their H2H record against City is dreadful, with no win in the nine proceeding H2H clashes (D2, L7), failing to score on seven occasions. [/p]
[p]Manchester City made the ideal start to their competitive campaign by beating rivals Manchester United at Wembley last weekend in the Community Shield on penalties. They’ve now switched focus to the Premier League where they’re bidding to take their already unprecedented dominance to another level by winning a fifth successive title. However, the case for allegedly breaching 115 of the Premier League’s rules is set to finally be heard next month, which could change the division’s landscape this term depending on the outcome. [/p]
[p]Guardiola’s men will aim to put that distraction to one side and get off to a flying start here, and they’ll not only be boosted by their dominant H2H record, but also their tendency to start the campaign strong. The Cityzens have won their opening Premier League game in 12 of their past 13 seasons (L1), though the sole blemish on that record did come in the capital against Chelsea’s rivals Tottenham back in 2021! [/p]
[p]Players to watch: New Chelsea signing Pedro Neto will hope to make a start to this season like he did at Wolves last year, registering eight direct goal contributions in his first ten league appearances (G1, A7). Opponent Bernardo Silva looks like he could be ready to pick up where he left off from last season too, signing off 2023/24 with four assists in as many matches, and then netting against United last weekend. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: No team has won more points in the opening round of Premier League fixtures than Chelsea (67). [/p]
[p][i]Written by David H[/i][/p]