Prediction and odds for the game: Manchester City (13/20) vs Chelsea (4/1)

We are backing Manchester City half-time/full-time at odds of 7/4

When: Saturday 15 January 2022, Kick-off 12:30

Where: The Etihad Stadium

On Saturday afternoon, the Premier League’s top two meet at the Etihad Stadium, as leaders Manchester City host Chelsea. The Citizens are currently ten points clear of the visitors in the title race.

Manchester City

The reigning champions have become a winning machine in recent months. The Citizens have now won 14 of their last 15 matches in all competitions after a weekend 4-1 win at Swindon Town in the FA Cup third round.

Pep Guardiola’s team have won their last 11 matches in the English top-flight. The home sides potency has been the key to their recent good league form, as the Citizens have scored two or more goals in nine of their last 11 matches in the Premier League.

City are on a five-game winning streak at the Etihad Stadium in the English top-flight too, while scoring 19 goals in the process. England international Raheem Sterling has been prolific in recent home matches, scoring four goals in his last five home appearances in the Premier League.

City ended a three-game losing streak against Chelsea by recording a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. They will be confident of recording another win.

Chelsea

The Blues title challenge has recently been hindered by too many draws. Thomas Tuchel’s team may be undefeated in ten competitive outings, but five of those matches have finished in draws. The Blues have at least won their last two games against Tottenham and Chesterfield, but they were in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup respectively.

Back in the league and the Blues have drawn four of their previous five matches in the Premier League. The defensive solidity of earlier Tuchel’s reign has also gone missing, as Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine top-flight outings.

The Blues have a respectable recent away record in the Premier League, having picked up six wins from their previous eight league matches on their travels. However, one win in their last three away matches in the top-flight does not bode well for a victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea has some big absentees going into this clash. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is with Senegal at the African Cup of Nations, while both first-choice wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell look set to miss out through injury.

Conclusion

Chelsea have caused City problems since the appointment of Tuchel as Blues boss. However, the way City are playing at the moment, it is hard to see anything other than a home win.

The home victory offers no value though. However, City half-time/full-time offers slightly more value. The other bet we are backing is for Raheem Sterling to be an anytime goalscorer, as the England star tends to thrive for City at the Etihad Stadium.

Our Tips: We are backing Manchester City half-time/full-time at odds of 7/4 and/or Raheem Sterling to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 15/8. (All odds are taken from Bet365)

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Will Manchester City continue their recent relentless form or can Tuchel mastermind another win over the Premier League champions?