Date: Sunday18th August 2024
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 16:30 BST
Well its been a mad summer and not in a good way.
43 players, half of them probably arriving on skateboards, 6
keepers, and anyone with a genuine connection to Chelsea either being banished
from the first team or invited to leave through a press conference. Bit of a
shambles really. Yet here we are, first day of a new campaign, against the
Premier League champions.
We haven’t impressed in pre-season, where we coincidentally lost
to today’s opponents, and we haven’t beaten them in the last six attempts. We
also haven’t beaten them in their last 4 visits to Stamford Bridge. City meanwhile, come into today’s game off the
back of another trophy last weekend. Apart from that though, its all good.
.
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going into
today’s game, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, Frank Lampard, Graham
Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca says “Against the champions, but it’s against a club that
is working with the same manager for the last eight or nine years and that is a
huge advantage. The same thing happened with some different clubs, for
instance, Arsenal. We are going to try and instill our game, to win games and
to make us happy, and also the fans. We are going to try and do our best to win
games. For me, this is my personal opinion, the big difference between us in
this moment and teams that are dominating English football, it’s just a matter
of time. These clubs worked with the same manager for eight or nine years and
here we have been one month. For sure, with timing, we are going to close the
gap and hopefully it can happen very soon.”
Manchester
City manager, Pep Guardiola says “I
demand the best from Sunday against Chelsea. We know we have to take points as
soon as possible and when the players are fitter and better physical condition,
they have to be ready. I don’t know what will happen. Everyone knows we are not
in the best conditions, but it doesn’t matter, the desire and trying to do well
and here control absolutely everything of luck.
The vibes
of the team is strong and all together doing what you have to do. I don’t think
there are a lot of teams who right now are perfect. I am pretty sure I learned
from my experience in many years that the season is so long. It is important
that the players are ready mentally especially and for that they need rest.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Reece James (hamstring) is
out. Conor Gallagher has returned and been exiled again, along with Trevoh
Chalobah and Armando Broja. Ben Chilwell meanwhile, doesn’t appear to be good
enough for the latest manager, although we’re perfectly happy with player’s like
Dewsbury-Hall.
For Manchester City, Rodri (hamstring), is still not fully fit, Oscar Bobb (leg) is out for a while and Jack Grealish, is also a doubt.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez; Gusto, W. Fofana,
Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia, Caicedo; Neto, Nkunku, Palmer
MANCHESTER
CITY (Possible line-up): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Bernardo,
Kovacic; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 4-4 Man City
(12 Nov 2023)
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea are without a win in nine
meetings in all competitions.
- Manchester City have won three times and
drawn once in their past four visits to Stamford Bridge.
- Both games last season finished in draws.
- Chelsea have lost only two opening day
fixtures at Stamford Bridge.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in 23
Premier League games since December.
- Manchester City have won 12 of their last
13 opening day fixtures.
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Chelsea 1-3 Manchester City
