Live on Sky: Manchester City vs Chelsea preview

Team news, key stats and prediction ahead of Manchester City vs Chelsea in the Premier League.

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Team news

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson returned to training on Thursday following a muscular problem and is in line to face Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola will definitely be without Bernardo Silva due to suspension while Leroy Sane is expected to be out for another two to three months.

Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is a major doubt due to a hamstring problem but Jorginho returns from a ban.

Christian Pulisic is back in training following a hip injury and the American is expected to feature.

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How to follow

Manchester City vs Chelsea is live on Saturday Night Football from 5pm; kick-off 5.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.

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Opta stats

• Manchester City have won five of their last eight Premier League meetings with Chelsea (L3), as many as they had in their previous 21 against them in the competition (W5 D4 L12).
• Chelsea have lost three of their last four Premier League away games against Man City (W1), including suffering their biggest ever defeat in the competition in this exact fixture last season (0-6).
• This is just the fifth time in the last nine seasons that Manchester City are facing Chelsea in a Premier League game while below them in the table - the Citizens haven't won any of the previous four in that time (D2 L2).
• Manchester City have already lost three Premier League games this season - just one fewer than they did in the whole of 2018-19, and one more than they did in 2017-18.
• Chelsea are looking to win eight consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time in their history.
• Manchester City (19) are the highest home goalscorers in the Premier League this season, while Chelsea (18) have scored more on the road than any other side. The Blues have scored at least twice in their last five away league games, last having a longer such run in December 2008 (7).
• In his entire managerial career, only against Liverpool (5) has City boss Pep Guardiola lost more games in all competitions than he has against Chelsea (4).
• Sergio Agüero has scored more Premier League goals against Chelsea than any other player in the competition's history (10). The Argentine has netted eight goals in his last six against the Blues, including a hat-trick in this exact fixture last season.
• Christian Pulisic has scored five goals in his last three Premier League games, and is looking to become the first ever American player to score in four consecutive appearances in the competition.
• Tammy Abraham has scored the first goal in five different Premier League games this season, at least two more than any other player. The England forward is also the highest away scorer in the league in 2019-20, netting as many or more goals on the road than 15 of the other 19 clubs in the division (7).

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Charlie Nicholas' prediction

It is a belter of a game, mainly because Manchester City are in fourth - how could we have predicted that at this stage? Chelsea are above them with the youngsters, who have all gone on international duty during the break, and have been scoring. It is the ideal scenario really, almost perfect.

N'Golo Kante is back fit and in the side, while Willian is playing well. Cesar Azpilicueta has revived himself and is back to his old self. Marcos Alonso has been alright when he has played and the centre-backs have been great - it looks promising to Chelsea. Frank Lampard will come up with a puzzle for City, but his puzzle will focus on the fact that Pep Guardiola's team are really struggling at the back and Chelsea have pace and technically-gifted players up front.

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It is going to be an open game, so Jorginho and Kante may have to sit deeper than they have been so far this season. I think Chelsea need to stay in the game for 70 minutes or so and then look to adapt to the situation if possible.

I don't know who Pep will pick because they are so frail in defence at the moment. It would be a gigantic blow if Ederson was to miss out and I do think City will want to simply go and beat Chelsea and get the job done with three points - it will up the ante on Liverpool.

The title race is far from over. Liverpool are in a great position but within three or four games over the festive period they could draw three times and suddenly the title race would be back on - they did it last year. For that reason, I think it will be Man City's day, but it will be such an open game that it will be a treat for everyone watching.

CHARLIE PREDICT: 4-2 (28/1 with Sky Bet)

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