Game Week 20 Predictions: Manchester City to beat Chelsea at the Etihad

Erling Haaland has blanked in his last two games while Cole Palmer hasn't impressed this season, will they both find their spark in this...

Erling Haaland has blanked in his last two games while Cole Palmer hasn't impressed this season, will they both find their spark in this one? (Photo credit: Super Sport)

 Manchester City vs Chelsea

Etihad Stadium

6:30pm
This is no doubt the game of the round. The relegation six-pointer between Wolves and West Ham was a huge fixture; Arsenal away at Bournemouth, where they lost last season, was big; however, this one is important for many reasons.

Chelsea parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca on the opening day of the year, and their first game since then would be this juggernaut of a fixture against Manchester City. There’s so much to unpack in Maresca’s departure; however, life must continue.

In fact, this could be called the Enzo Maresca derby. The Italian is believed to be the anointed one to replace Pep Guardiola if he does decide to leave the Cityzens, something the Chelsea hierarchy must be aware of. Is that why they laid Maresca off?

The Citizens are believed to have wrapped up things with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, with words on the street suggesting that they had him wait to play against Arsenal to see if he would be able to take anything away from the Gunners before joining them; that didn’t happen.

The Citizens had won seven games in a row before travelling to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland. The Black Cats stood firm and took two points off the former champions just as they have done to every team who visited their ground.

With Arsenal doing the hard work, first against Aston Villa and then at the Vitality Stadium against the Cherries, Manchester City now must beat Chelsea to close the gap between them and the Gunners to four points; that is pressure.

Chelsea will be led on Sunday by academy coach Calum McFarlane, who admitted that it feels like a whirlwind around him as he steps up to the biggest seat of his career, while many expect Liam Rosenoir, the Strasbourg manager, to be named as the substantive head coach at Chelsea imminently.

Who are the players to step up for the Blues as they travel to the Etihad, where they lost last season? Cole Palmer remains the leading light. He may not have reached the heights of previous years this season; however, he is still their best creator and can fashion something out of nothing.

Erling Haaland is primed to return to scoring ways after blanking against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland. Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden are the other players you want to keep an eye on. Can Chelsea’s inconsistent defence stop this violent City attack?

Verdict: Straight win for Manchester City.