MCI Pre-Match Preview: Chelsea vs Manchester City

The sun rises on a fresh, new season of challenges ahead as Pep Guardiola prepares to take the helm in what might be his final season for our beloved Manchester City Football Club. City travel to Stamford Bridge today, the home of the London blues, as the 2024-2025 edition of the Premier League season kicks off. Several, unfulfilled, intriguing storylines are bound to come to a conclusion this year as City, fresh off a massive, never before done 4peat of league titles, will look to prove that they will not falter, nor be distracted by the varying circumstances around the club. For our first pre-match preview of the year, Sheikh tackles our predicted line-up, MOTM predictions, things to watch, and provides a couple of fun facts. 

PREDICTED LINEUP:

With several players yet to be fully involved in training following their extended summer breaks, the lineup is a bit tricky to guess. After much speculation, news of Ederson staying and extending his contract left City fans relieved. As such, he retains his position in goal as our starting keeper. Josko and Rico both look prime to man the “fullback” spots on their respective sides, with plenty of preseason minutes under their belt. And in a tough away game, I see Pep going with a battle-tested, physically-imposing pair of Akanji and Rúben as the CB pairing. The absence of Rodri and injury to Oscar Bobb, who looked primed to lock down the RW position prior to his injury, leaves us with some questions. Kovacic is a must start but the rest of the midfield is a bit unclear. I see Bernardo slotting into midfield with KDB, if fit, starting as well. But if Kev isn’t fit, James McAtee might see himself thrown into the fire after a solid preseason showing. If fit, Phil starts on the RW over Savio, with Haaland up front and once again, if fit, Grealish on the left. Especially for the English component in our squad, it all comes down to match fitness. 

THINGS TO WATCH: 

• City and Chelsea played on the preseason tour a mere few weeks ago. A game in which Chelsea looked to be relatively full strength while City’s lineup consisted of 3-4 regular starters. The result? A cracking game in which Erling Haaland scored a hattrick and our medley of youth talent showed they’re willing to step up and fight for their positions and club. I believe we’ll see a similar result today, especially given the return of our senior players, the adrenaline rush of the season opener, and the familiarity Pep and new Chelsea manager (and former City assistant), Enzo Maresca, have with each other. 
• A close eye will be kept on how our the team performs without our superhero Rodri, the lynchpin and heart of our team. The transfer window is trickling to a close and it will be telling to see how our squad reacts to a quality opponent, early in the season, without him. If we struggle, the need for his “replacement” becomes all the more glaring (if it isn’t enough already).
• For our new signing Savio, we are hoping for quality minutes and an opportunity for him to show what he can do. Mistakes are inevitable with new signings but that is ok - it’s the effort and reaction to those mistakes that will endear himself to the fans.

Match + MOTM PREDICTIONS:

A City win in a 3-1 victory. Haaland to have a field day, Kovacic to run the midfield. 

MOTM? None other than the striking viking, of course. 

5 FUN FACTS:

Written by: SHEIKH