STAR FOOTBALL PREVIEW Sun: Manchester City v Chelsea

Managerial mismatches in January are normally found in the FA Cup, so spare a thought for Calum McFarlane as he takes Chelsea to the Etihad this afternoon, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.

McFarlane, Chelsea’s Under-21 coach, is in temporary charge of the Blues after Enzo Maresca left the club on New Year’s Day, a departure that was heavily rumoured over December as speculation abounded over potential talks with Manchester City to replace Guardiola when he leaves (denied by the club), and a falling out with the sporting directors and medical team over player minuities and acquisitions to name two things.

Despite all that, Chelsea have taken a chance on cutting ties with Marseca given that likely replacement Liam Rosienior is promising but very inexperienced at the top level (albeit similar comments applied to Marseca), and there’s a whole host on offer for Chelsea with a League Cup semi-final against Arsenal, progress through to the Champions League knockouts, and a top four spot within their grasp.

To make the most of those opportunities they’ll need to arrest a Christmas slump that saw them win just one of seven Premier League matches and drop out of title contention to fighting for a top four spot at one of the league’s most in form teams, with Moises Caicedo serving a one-match ban and Marc Cucurella also a doubt. Calum MacFarlane will have had easier afternoons.

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Manchester City v Chelsea
Premier League
17:30 Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Ultra HDR

LAST FIVE STATS

HEAD-TO-HEAD
JAN 2025 PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
APR 2024 FA CUP Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea
FEB 2024 PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
NOV 2023 PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea 4-4 Manchester City
AUG 2024 PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City

MANCHESTER CITY
JAN 2026 PREMIER LEAGUE Sunderland 0-0 Manchester City
DEC 2025 PREMIER LEAGUE Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester City
DEC 2025 PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester City 3-0 West Ham
DEC 2025 CARABAO CUP Manchester City 2-0 Brentford
DEC 2025 PREMIER LEAGUE Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City

CHELSEA
DEC 2025 PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth
DEC 2025 PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa
DEC 2025 PREMIER LEAGUE Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
DEC 2025 CARABAO CUP Cardiff 1-3 Chelsea
DEC 2025 PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea 2-0 Everton

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City’s eight match winning streak came to an end thanks to a very creditable performance by Sunderland in midweek but they lost no credit at the Stadium of Light and they are meeting Chelsea at a very opportune time in the perfect setting.

City’s home form this season reads like a team right back to their best after a squad rebuild over the past 18 months. They’ve won 11 of their last 12 league and cup matches and 15 of their last 19 in all competitions, and worryingly for title rivals Arsenal, are much more solid at the back – Omari Hutchinson’s strike for Nottingham Forest last weekend is the only goal they have conceded in their past six league fixtures.

Going forward, Erling Haaland is ably supported by Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden to challenge opposition defences and the absence of Caicedo in midfield should give the advantage to Silva, Rodri, Reijnders in the centre of the park.

Keep this simple and back Manchester City to win at entirely fair odds of 8/15 starsports.bet – if you’re looking for more value, the -1 goal handicap or a correct score option should give punters a good run for their money. Assuming Chelsea attempt to keep things tight and hit on the break, a 2-0 or 2-1 correct score in City’s favour could be value.

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PROFIT/LOSS (JAN 2026): -1.70 points

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