Man City vs Chelsea Predictions: 04.01.2026 - Premier League Betting Tips

Man City vs Chelsea

Man City will look to return to winning ways when manager-less Chelsea rock up at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon. Chelsea made the decision to part ways with Enzo Maresca and a new head coach has yet to be appointed.

Advantage Man City? Let's find out as our Premier League tipster Nathan Joyes analyses the match and provides his best bet.

Man City must fire

Man City's eight match winning streak came to an end on New Years Day when they were held to a 0-0 draw against Sunderland.

Pep Guardiola's side were the better of the two teams, where Savinho, Jeremy Doku and Josko Gvardiol all had big chances to win the match.

However, although Man City lost some ground on Arsenal, it's hardly panic stations just yet as the title contenders have been in fine form and no one has yet to leave Sunderland with all three points this season.

Back at home, Guardiola will be in a confident mood having won four matches in a row scoring 11 goals in the process.

In fact, Man City have won 11 of their 13 games at the Etihad this season, and one of those defeats was a heavily rotated side vs Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Chelsea enter a new era

Chelsea made the decision to fire Enzo Maresca this week after a poor end to the 2025 campaign.

Winless in three, Chelsea have completely dropped out of the title race and head to Manchester in 5th spot.

Since beating Barcelona, Chelsea have won just two of their nine matches, one coming against Cardiff in the EFL Cup.

A home defeat vs Aston Villa followed by a 2-2 draw against a Bournemouth side winless in 10 was enough to issue Maresca with his P45.

And so it's a new year and a new era for Chelsea, who will be hoping for a more prosperous 2026 domestically. That away win at Cardiff was their only win on the road in their last five, having last won in the Premier League at Turf Moor back in mid-November.

A change was perhaps needed - but just before a trip to the Etihad could make it even more difficult for the players.

Man City vs Chelsea H2H

It's Man City that have the bragging rights in recent years having won this fixture four out of the last five attempts (W4 D1). In fact, Chelsea fans will know all too well about how difficult this fixture is having not beaten Man City since 2021 - not winning any of the last 12 meetings.

Our Man City vs Chelsea betting tip

With Man City desperate to keep tabs on Arsenal at the top of the table and Chelsea having problems to fix on and off the pitch, the hosts will be popular in the betting.

Nathan Joyes has analysed the Premier League odds for this match and has put forward his best pick.

Man City to return to winning ways

Man City (3/5 with Betfred) are odds-on to continue their good form over Chelsea (7/2 with Betano) and it's difficult to oppose it.

At home, they have been absolutely ruthless and no doubt Guardiola will be even more motivated after dropping points against Sunderland.

Having scored at least two goals in each of their last four home wins, it's a rarity for Man City to fall short in front of their fans - something Chelsea aren't currently used to.

Without a manager, and clearly plenty to sort out in the background, the Club World Cup winners head to Manchester rather unorganised and winless since mid-December.

Although certain individuals will be keen to see the back of Maresca, it leaves uncertainty for others as the January transfer window opens, and Man City can therefore take advantage and return to winning ways.

TIP: Man City -1 Asian Handicap at 11/10 with BetMGM.

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