Chelsea Vs Manchester City: Hunting 3 Points In The Opening Party Of The Premier League

JAKARTA - Chelsea and Manchester City will start the 2024/2025 Premier League season with big ambitions when they clash at Stamford Bridge, Sunday 18 August.

This duel is expected to be a tension-filled opening opener, given the performance of the two teams and their respective ambitions.

Chelsea again experienced a disappointing season in 2023/2024, failing to qualify for the Champions League for two consecutive seasons. Although Mauricio Pochettino managed to display the team's potential, his departure still confused many.

Enzo Maresca has now taken over the coaching chair, but the team's pre-season did not go smoothly with just one win from six matches.

Meanwhile, Manchester City continues to make history as the first team to win the Premier League title four times in a row. They are now trying to set a new record this season, although they also only won one pre-season game. Interestingly, the victory was won against Chelsea.

The last meeting of the two teams last season resulted in a dramatic match with a score of 4-4, with both teams hitting each other non-stop for 90 minutes. This Sunday's match is predicted to be fierce again, with both teams having high motivation to open the first three points season.

Chelsea will lose several key players, including Reece James captain who is absent due to suspension and hamstring injury. In addition, Djardje Petrovic, Omari Kellyman, and Conor Gallagher will also not appear. Even so, Robert Sanchez is ready to guard the goal in a 4-3-3 formation, with Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella filling the back line.

In midfield, Lavia's already recovering from a long injury will be side by side with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. While on the front lines, Christopher Nkunku will most likely be chosen as the spearhead, supported by the creativity of Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer.

Manchester City must also appear without their flagship midfielder, Rodri, who is ruled out due to injury. In addition, Oscar Bobb also cannot play due to a leg injury. However, Pep Guardiola still has many options with the return of Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Phil Foden who are ready to fight at Stamford Bridge.

Ederson Moraes will again guard the goal in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol filling the defense. Rodri's absence paved the way for Bernardo Silva to go deeper, duet with Mateo Kovacic in midfield. Kevin De Bruyne will be the main creator upfront, supporting Savinho's trio, Jeremy Doku, and Erling Haaland in attack.

From the record meeting of the two teams, Chelsea have never won in the last nine meetings with Manchester City in all competitions since their 1-0 win in the Champions League final in 2021 (Seri 2, lost 7). The Citizens have won three games and drawn once in their last four visits to Stamford Bridge. Manchester City have also been unbeaten in 23 Premier League games since their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last December.

Chelsea have only lost twice in the season opener at Stamford Bridge (won 12, drew 5, with the latest defeats taking place against Burnley in 2017. On the other hand, Manchester City have won 12 of their last 13 opening games, except for a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the 2021/2022 season.

Although the two teams' pre-seasons are not running optimally, this match will be a real test for Chelsea and Manchester City. With the quality of The Citizens, even without Rodri, they are predicted to remain a superior team. Chelsea had to work extra hard to stop the dominance of the visitors.

Forecast of the line-up:

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Bernardo Silva, Kovacic; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Bernardo Silva, Kovacic; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland