Manchester City will begin its campaign to win a record fifth consecutive Premier League title on Sunday with a visit to a Chelsea side beginning life under yet another new manager in Enzo Maresca.
City, already is the all-time record holder for consecutive English league titles after winning its fourth last season finishing two points above runner-up Arsenal.
Team News
Chelsea’s only known absentee for Sunday’s game is captain Reece James, who is nursing a hamstring injury but is suspended anyway after being sent off in the Blues’ penultimate match of last season.
As for Man City, Oscar Bobb is ruled out for between three and four months with a fractured fibula, while the Citizens will also have to cope without star midfielder Rodri, who was forced off with a hamstring injury in the Euro 2024 final and is yet to take part in Man City training after an extended summer break.
Possible Starting Lineups
Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, W. Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Dewsbury-hall, Caicedo; Neto, Nkunku, Palmer.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Bernardo, Kovacic; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland.
Prediction
If last season’s Stamford Bridge showdown is anything to go by – a thrilling 4-4 draw in November last year – then we could be in for an entertaining, end-to-end contest on Sunday between two teams hoping to kick-start the new season with a statement victory.
The absence of Rodri is a huge blow for Man City, who struggled without his presence last season, but they remain a formidable outfit who will likely have plenty of joy in the final third against a defensively frail Chelsea side.
