Manchester City Vs Chelsea Betting Picks, Premier League Predictions & EPL Odds
Manchester City vs Chelsea Betting Picks
Just when you think Manchester City might be turning their season around, all it takes is one night in Paris to make you think again.
City went to the French capital on Wednesday off the back of four wins in the last five matches and were 2-0 up against PSG in a crunch Champions League tie in the second half, only to let victory slip through their hands as the French side roared back to claim a 4-2 win.
That result leaves City needing a win in their final UCL league phase match next week to guarantee a place in the knockout rounds, but before that is the small matter of a meeting with Chelsea (12.30pm ET, Fubo Sports).
These two last met on the opening weekend of the Premier League season when City claimed a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.
The Londoners have improved since then, while City have slipped from their pedestal as the EPL's best team and will go into this game two points behind Chelsea in fourth.
Neither side are in title contention with Chelsea's outside chance diminished by a recent run of one win in six games, that solitary win coming on Monday when they beat Wolves 3-1 at home.
But betting sites give Enzo Maresca's men more than a fighting chance of winning at the Etihad Stadium this weekend. It's rare to see City at plus-odds at home but they are available to back at +106 with certain books.
It's been worth opposing City for much of the season and this looks like another spot to take on the champs in some capacity.
Manchester vs Chelsea Prediction: Blues Can Expose Fragile Citizens
Chelsea are +230 at most soccer betting sites to claim what would be only their second win in the last 10 visits to the Etihad Stadium.
The Etihad is certainly not a fortress right now and since their 52-game unbeaten run at home was ended by Tottenham at the end of November, they've won just three of their last six matches on their patch in all competitions.
There have been signs of life from Pep Guardiola's men recently, winning three out of the last four EPL games, including a 6-0 victory at Ipswich last weekend.
Phil Foden is back among the goals and looking better, while some of the injury problems they've had have cleared up. And yet, the showing in Paris was a reminder of how this is not the kind of City side we're used to seeing under Guardiola.
Reinforcements are coming for City with Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov all joining recently, but they are unlikely to have an impact on Saturday.
None of those three will help fix City's problems in midfield either where Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez could potentially dominate in the middle of the field this weekend.
PSG also exposed City down the flanks and Chelsea have plenty of options out wide that may hurt the home team, if allowed to dictate.
There's a lot to like about Chelsea in this match-up, particularly as they didn't play in midweek and City did, but the prices on betting apps for an away win are a bit skinny given the Blues haven't been at their best recently.
They are winless in the last three away league matches and rather than go for a Chelsea victory, the bet is on them scoring two or more goals.
The goals have dried up for Nicolas Jackson of late, but the Chelsea striker should get chances to find his groove against a City team with the eighth-worst expected goals against total (36.48) in the EPL.
Only Liverpool (50) have scored more league goals than Chelsea (44) and if they get rolling, they can hurt a City team that's conceded two or more in 10 of their 22 league games this season.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Betting Pick 1: Over 1.5 Chelsea goals (+111 Pinnacle)
Man City vs Chelsea EPL Betting Prediction: Palmer Can Work His Magic
The biggest threat to City is a player they know very well in Cole Palmer, who moved from the Etihad Stadium to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023.
He's realized his potential at Chelsea and has been involved in 20 goals this season, scoring 14 and providing six assists.
A lot of new betting sites, and some established names too, make him odds-on to add to his goal involvement numbers, but you can find him at +105 on FanDuel to register a goal or assist.
That seems like a price worth jumping on given how heavily involved Palmer is in Chelsea's attacking output, including recently when he's scored three goals in his last four league games for the Blues.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Betting Pick 2: Cole Palmer to score or assist (+105 FanDuel)
