EPL: match prediction: Chelsea vs. Man City, Aug 18, 2024

What will Chelsea be like in the new season?

Chelsea continues to be in the process of endless restructuring. In the second half of last season, it seemed that Mauricio Pochettino was finally able to form the core of the squad that is capable of producing results. The Londoners played spectacularly and began to regularly score points. Immediately after this, it was decided to say goodbye to the Argentine specialist, and the vacant place in the summer was taken by Enzo Maresca, who will now have to start from scratch. Don’t miss Chelsea games, and read all football prediction today.

In the off-season, the Blues again said goodbye to a number of players, and among the notable signings, it is worth noting Dewsbury-Hall, Kellyman and Philip Jorgensen. So far, Maresca has not been doing very well since the match with Wrexham was only a draw (2:2) and they lost to Celtic 1:4.

Manchester City breaks into the tournament

While most of the stars have not yet arrived for training, Manchester City have managed to make two misfires. They lost to the champion of Scotland and the vice champion of Italy, conceding seven goals in these matches. There are positives in everything. The Citizens give a spectacle to American fans and thereby popularize football. True, Pep Guardiola would probably happily spit on this popularization and testing of youth if he had a full squad at his disposal. And while this is not the case, City has already managed to lose more friendly matches than in the previous two summers.

Apart from the Norwegian attacking pair of Erling Haaland and Oscar Bobb, whom everyone praised even before the match with Milan, there is no one else to single out. In the game with the Rossoneri, they both again distinguished themselves with effective actions: Haaland scored from a pass from Bobb. Perhaps we will see this more often in the new season if Guardiola begins to trust Oscar more, he deserves it. Chelsea failed to beat their Manchester opponents last season.

Tactics features

Maresca is likely to choose a more cautious strategy, given the strength of the opponent. Chelsea can focus on counterattacks, using the speed of their wide players. Chelsea’s defense, especially the central defender pair of Badiashile and Wesley Fofana, should be ready for constant pressure from the attacking line.

Pep Guardiola, in turn, will most likely stick to his usual tactics based on possession and pressing. Manchester City will try to control the game from the first minutes, using their strengths in the center of the field and on the flanks.

Game forecast

If Chelsea has difficulties with the results, then the Blues still have no problems with the entertainment of the matches. The Londoners continue to play cheerfully and effectively. They make mistakes in defense but are productive in attack. In total, in the previous nine meetings with their participation, 36 goals were scored (4.00 on average per game) – a very high figure. 

So in the upcoming confrontation with such a formidable opponent as Manchester City, we have the right to expect solid goal activity, so the optimal option for the forecast seems to be a total of more than 3 goals.