Man City vs Chelsea Prediction, Lineups and Odds: Best bets at the Etihad

Kick-off is just around the corner at the Etihad, where Manchester City host Chelsea in this evening's 5.30pm Premier League clash, live on Sky Sports.

City will be looking to bounce back after a midweek defeat to PSG but have seemed back on song in the league. Meanwhile, Chelsea have managed just one win in their last six Premier League outings and are desperate to turn things around.

Check out the top betting tips from Matthew O'Regan below, and don’t miss Paddy Power’s exciting new customer offer: 40/1 odds for a goal to be scored in tonight’s match!

While Chelsea had a rare break midweek, Manchester City faced PSG, losing 4-2, despite racing into a 2-0 lead. This result would’ve angered Pep Guardiola, whose side looked imperious in the 6-0 demolition of Ipswich a few days earlier. They are now on the brink of Champions League elimination, as well as sitting fifth in the Premier League, just five points clear of Fulham in 10th.

However, it is not all doom and gloom for the Citizens who have welcomed three new signings to the Etihad. Defenders Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov arrive from Palmeiras and Lens, respectively, to add much-needed pace and youthfulness to a struggling back-line, while Egyptian hot-shot Omar Marmoush joins from Frankfurt for a significant fee.

It is unclear whether the trio will feature on the weekend, but City fans will be delighted with the much-needed acquisitions. On the injury front, Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain out after their long-term injuries, while Nathan Ake will also miss out after injuring himself in the 2-2 draw at Brentford.

One of Guardiola’s disciples returns to face him, with Enzo Maresca’s fourth-place Chelsea heading to the Etihad. The Blues sit just two points ahead of the hosts after a 3-1 win over Wolves- their first win for five Premier League games.

They are also missing just a few players, with Enzo Fernandez, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana all injured.

Bernardo Silva has been a key cog in Pep Guardiola’s system in recent weeks, playing a number of positions across the midfield. It is believed he will line-up in the double pivot again as he has done in recent weeks.

The 30-year-old has made at least two tackles in his last five starts in midfield. With Cole Palmer playing through the middle, Bernardo may be worked hard. Silva is a player that shines in big games so expect another big performance from the Portuguese international.

Manchester City have been strong in front of goal, scoring 44 in the Premier League - the second most in the league. The problem has been defensively, conceding 29 goals – the most in the top seven in the league, keeping just two clean sheets in their last ten games (excluding League 2 Salford). Guardiola’s side have developed issues in seeing out games, so the much-needed re-jig of the squad may help these teething problems.

Games at the Etihad have been entertaining, with City picking up two points a game, with these matches averaging 3.5 goals. BTTS has landed in 7/10 with City winning 6/10.

Chelsea looked to be gaining momentum on leaders Liverpool, before a blip saw them fail to win in five games – against Everton, Fulham, Ipswich, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. However, Maresca guided his side to a 3-1 win over Wolves, with the defence still looking shaky throughout.

The Blues have now kept just one clean sheet in their last nine league games, with defensive injuries coupled with the poor form of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez a major issue. BTTS has landed in 16/22 Chelsea games, with the away games averaging 3.36.

Despite the recent issues for Manchester City, it is a game I still expect them to win, with both sides getting on the scoresheet again.

Man City vs Chelsea Lineups

Pep Guardiola could decide to give gametime to new signings Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, but Ruben Dias is a doubt, as is Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb.

Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, and Mykhaylo Mudryk are out for Chelsea.

The starting lineups for Man City vs Chelsea are displayed in the graphic below.

Man City vs Chelsea Bet Boosts