Manchester City welcome Chelsea to the Etihad as title chase intensifies
Manchester City return to home soil for their first Etihad Stadium fixture of 2026, hosting Chelsea in a crucial Premier League encounter as Pep Guardiola’s side continue their pursuit of Arsenal at the summit of the table.
The reigning champions opened the new calendar year with a frustrating 0-0 draw away at Sunderland. Despite the lack of goals, both sides created clear-cut chances, only to be denied by impressive goalkeeping displays from Robin Roefs and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
That stalemate came at a cost for City, with Savinho forced off through injury and Nico Gonzalez withdrawn at half-time due to fitness concerns. The positives, however, were the long-awaited returns of Jeremy Doku and Rodri, both easing back into action after extended spells on the sidelines.
Historically, this fixture has tilted firmly in Manchester City’s favour in recent years. Since their meeting in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final in Porto, City are unbeaten against Chelsea in all competitions, recording nine wins and two draws during that run.
Across their long-standing rivalry, the two clubs have met 160 times in competitive matches. Chelsea hold a narrow edge in total wins with 71 victories, while Manchester City have triumphed on 67 occasions, alongside 42 draws. Goal tallies remain similarly close, underlining the competitive nature of this matchup.
Guardiola’s assessment ahead of Chelsea clash
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Pep Guardiola urged caution regarding the reintegration of Rodri, stressing the importance of managing workloads carefully following a lengthy absence.
“With Rodri on the pitch we’re always better, everyone knows that,” Guardiola explained. “But he’s coming back from a very long injury, so we have to be careful. The schedule is demanding, and we must speak with the doctors and physios.”
Guardiola also acknowledged the physical toll of back-to-back away fixtures during the festive period and admitted City will once again need to adapt against an unpredictable Chelsea side following recent managerial changes.
Team news and availability
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush remain away on international duty with Algeria and Egypt respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations. On the injury front, Savinho, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, and Oscar Bobb are all ruled out, while Nico Gonzalez’s availability will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Chelsea arrive with notable absentees of their own. Moisés Caicedo is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards, while Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Dário Essugo, and Joriel Hato are expected to miss out. Mykhailo Mudryk remains banned.
Recent meetings and form
The most recent meeting between the sides saw City overturn an early deficit to secure a 3-1 victory at the Etihad, with goals from Josko Gvardiol, Erling Haaland, and Phil Foden sealing the comeback.
Manchester City boast an outstanding home record, having won their last eight Premier League matches at the Etihad, scoring at least three goals in seven of those games. Chelsea, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency, winning just one of their last seven league fixtures.
Key statistics
Erling Haaland has been prolific at home this season, scoring 11 goals in eight Premier League appearances at the Etihad. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, by contrast, has found goals harder to come by outside London, with his recent scoring exploits largely confined to the capital.
How to watch
In the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. Viewers in the United States can watch via NBCSN and Peacock.
Conclusion
With injuries mounting and the title race finely poised, Manchester City’s home clash with Chelsea represents a pivotal moment in their season. Guardiola’s side will look to harness their formidable Etihad form to close the gap on Arsenal, while Chelsea aim to defy recent struggles and disrupt City’s momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is Manchester City vs Chelsea being played?
The match takes place this weekend as part of the Premier League’s January fixture schedule.
Is Rodri fit to start against Chelsea?
Rodri has returned from injury but Guardiola has stressed that his minutes will be carefully managed.
Which Manchester City players are unavailable?
Savinho, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, and Oscar Bobb are injured, while Ait-Nouri and Marmoush are away at AFCON.
How can fans watch the match live?
The game will be shown on Sky Sports in the UK and on NBCSN and Peacock in the United States.
