Manchester City suffered Champions League disappointment in Paris on Wednesday, but they should be confident they can bounce back and push into the Premier League’s top four with a home win over Chelsea on Saturday.
Their visitors are two points ahead of the Citizens, but have failed to win their last three away games, so this looks a tough trip north for Enzo Maresca’s side.
- MANCHESTER CITY TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
- PHIL FODEN TO SCORE AT ANY TIME
- MOISES CAICEDO TO BE BOOKED
City Regaining Their Form In League
Manchester City expected to be giving Liverpool a much stronger challenge in the Premier League, but they look to have recovered from their domestic slump and should have enough to see off Chelsea on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side have dropped two points in their last four matches and a win over the Blues would take them back into the top four and signal another hurdle that has been cleared in their recovery.
While a defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League after they had taken a two-goal lead is a disappointment, Guardiola will be heartened by recent league results which have included a 4-1 home win over West Ham and a 6-0 romp at Ipswich last week.
Chelsea, meanwhile, ended a five-match winless run with a 3-1 victory over Wolves on Monday, but they have not won recent away games at Everton, Crystal Palace and Ipswich, so this looks a lot tougher.
The Blues have managed to score in all but three of their last 22 league away games and could be relied upon to find the net, especially as City have kept just two clean sheets in their 11 home league matches this season.
However, the champions look to have got back in their groove and should emerge with the points.
MANCHESTER CITY TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Foden Has Stepped Up To The Plate
While Erling Haaland has awoken from his autumn slumber and scored four goals in his last four league appearances for City, it could be that Phil Foden provides greater value for those looking for an anytime-goalscorer interest.
The England star took until December 21 to open his league account for the season but has not looked back since.
He was on target again in the win over West Ham, struck both goals in the 2-2 draw at Brentford and then helped himself to another brace in their win at Portman Road, so Foden’s confidence is likely to be sky-high.
PHIL FODEN TO SCORE AT ANY TIME
Caicedo Could Pick Up A Sixth Booking
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo escaped a ban after receiving his fifth booking after the threshold in the win over Wolves, but it would not be a surprise if he went into the book again at the Etihad.
The Ecuadorian has committed 45 fouls this season, a mark that is topped only by Wolves’ Joao Gomes, and with the threat of a one-game suspension now off the table, he should relish what should be an intense battle in the middle of the pitch and could succumb to another caution.
MOISES CAICEDO TO BE BOOKED
