With the 33rd PL season just over a week away from starting, we bring you our Premier League 24/25 Chelsea vs Manchester City preview. After claiming their eighth Premier League title, Manchester City is hoping to continue their winning ways in the upcoming season. The team displayed phenomenal talent by placing first in the standings and showing dominance in their games. Meanwhile, their opponents, Chelsea, did not have the best ending to their season. They failed to finish in the top four and missed their opportunity to qualify for the UCL. However, players like Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling showed their immense potential.
The next game featured on match day one is between Chelsea and Manchester City. The game will happen on the first day of the Premier League alongside a bunch of other matches. Based on recent stats and results, Manchester City has improved their playstyle and sharpened the chemistry between their players. This refined form has helped the squad perform tremendously well in every match. Eventually, the team reached the top spot in the standings and won the league. The players solidified their titles as one of the strongest clubs in England and have raised their standard for future games.
Meanwhile, Chelsea ended the season with a less-than-satisfactory result. With 63 points and a sixth-place finish, Enzo Maresca’s team struggled with their performance near the end of the season. They suffered major losses against Arsenal, Wolverhampton, and Liverpool. Despite a strong showing from strikers like Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer, the team looked like they were overwhelmed during every game. A lack of strategic play and control over the ball forced them to constantly remain on the back foot. The fans are disappointed with the results after the end of the 23/24 season and are hoping to see the squad with strengthened synergy and confidence.
Chelsea Team Preview
Chelsea is one of the most well-known and adorned clubs in the Premier League. They are third in terms of most league wins with five seasons under their belt. Their most recent PL win was back during the 2016-2017 season. Since then the club has maintained its performance in the league and has consistently finished near the top five. However, the last couple of seasons displayed a slight decline in their capabilities. The 2022-2023 season saw them finish 12th while they placed sixth in the next one. This inconsistency in performance is suspected to be caused by numerous weaknesses in their game plan such as a lack of cohesion and inability to maintain possession.
Despite all the numerous shortcomings and unexpected losses in their recent matches, the team is filled to the brim with incredible talent. Individually, each player has proven to be exceptionally masterful and skilled in other competitions. Players like Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling, and Cole Palmer have displayed their vision and quick reactions on the pitch. Their physical capabilities and tactical analysis have been vital in pulling the team out of rough situations. Even during the club’s recent friendly matches, these players have been tremendously resourceful.
However, the drawback that has caused the club to be unable to win numerous easy games is the lack of cohesion between players. To successfully pull off counter-attacks and tactics on the fly, players need to be on the same page. We have seen shreds of evidence where such mistakes have ruined momentum and simple counter-plays. Gaps in experience and poor preparation have been the key reasons behind disabling the club from utilizing opportunities on the pitch.
These drawbacks have contributed to Chelsea being unable to win games and earn points in recent seasons. Uncelebrated teams have worked on optimizing their tactical prowess and chemistry, especially during the last season. Matches such as a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United, a 4-2 loss against Wolverhampton, and a 2-0 loss against Everton are prime examples of Chelsea not working on the same level as these clubs.
With these points in mind, we must consider the potential that the club has based on individual player talent and skill. Players like Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella, and Enzo Fernández have immense potential in defending attacks and clearing the ball. Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, and Raheem Sterling have been a nightmare in front of the goalposts. Cole Palmer managed to score 22 goals last season, making him the second-highest scorer. Their quick reactions and speed have made it very difficult for any defender trying to challenge them. If the club has any hopes of recovering its glory and form, it needs to utilize these players and invent tactics that play to their strengths.
Predicted XI: Jörgensen (GK), Badiashile, Colwill, Gusto, James, Nkunku, Lavia, Fernández, Guiu, Sterling, Madueke
Manchester City Team Preview
The current title holders after the last Premier League season are preparing to kick off the first game with a bang. After a dominating show during the 23-24 season, the club has shown their aggressiveness and speed. Their strikers have meshed remarkably well with the attacking midfielders. With 28 wins and 91 points to their name, they have raised the bar when it comes to attacking football. Their set plays during counter-attacks are refined to perfection. Players like Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish have been supporting the strikers like Erling Haaland and Julián Álvarez. Others such as Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne have used their creativity and physique in both defending and attacking, making Manchester City a formidable force.
The real magic behind Manchester City’s goal-scoring capabilities stems from the chemistry within the midfield. They are not only able to maintain possession of the ball but also find openings for attackers to push forward and exploit them. Their stamina and passing accuracy allow them to move near the 18-yard box and pass to their finishers. Players like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden have been able to dominate the goal-scoring standings thanks to these suppliers with 27 and 19 goals scored respectively, making them the first and fourth-ranked goal-scorers of the season.
Alongside them, defenders like Rúben Dias, Kyle Walker, and John Stones are also quite reputed because of their skills in stopping counter-attacks. They have made life easier for the midfielders, letting them stay farther up the field and clearing the ball in their direction. These traits allow the club to have every part of the field locked down. Paired with their developed chemistry, they can apply pressure on their opposition by maintaining possession and constantly attempting attacks without losing the ball.
Based on the last season, Manchester City’s morale and stats have been at an all-time high. Now it comes down to if they can maintain the same momentum and adjust to the changes in the teams from the transfer window. They have successfully been able to counter-strategize against their opponents before and exploit their weaknesses on the fly, so fans aren’t too worried about them struggling this early in the season.
Predicted XI: Ortega (GK), Gvardiol, Phillips, Wilson-Esbrand, Lewis, McAtee, Kovacic, O’Reilly, Haaland, Grealish, Bobb
Chelsea vs Manchester City Betting Odds
Chelsea 4.10 – 3.60 Draw –1.85 Manchester City (Bet365)
Chelsea vs Manchester City Head-to-Head Stats
So far, Chelsea and Manchester City have faced off against each other 60 times. Out of these 60 games, Manchester won 27 times and Chelsea won 26 times. The rest of the seven games ended in a draw. During the direct-win matches, both teams scored an average of 2.72 goals per game. Out of the last seven matches between these two teams, 5 of them were won by Manchester and the rest of them were draws.
The last time Chelsea won against Manchester City was back in 2021. Since there Chelsea has displayed inconsistent results and a slight decline from their normal top-four finish. They have suffered from a lack of cohesion and gaps among players in terms of experience. Their last season especially was quite unsatisfactory as they finished sixth and lost 11 games. This is a major decline compared to their previous results.
Chelsea vs Manchester City Betting Tips and Predictions
Meanwhile, Manchester City have improved dramatically and have developed their chemistry and speed. This has been a critical part of their first-place finish from last season. None of the teams were able to thwart the combination of incredible setups and passes from the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Julián Álvarez paired with the finishing of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. This combination has been a vital part of the club’s prowess near the penalty box, making them a tough team to beat.
Considering the past results and forms of the two teams, Manchester City should have no trouble winning the game because of their synergy and finishing acumen. Chelsea’s weaknesses include the gaps within their midfield and the inability to form a counter-attack will be aspects which Pep Guardiola will exploit. The only thing Chelsea has going for them is the fact that this will be the first game of the season for their opponents which may suggest that they are not back to a hundred percent.