
Football
Manchester City vs Chelsea Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: January 25, 2025 Kickoff Time: 17:30 (UK Time) Venue: Etihad To suggest these two teams have begun to languish might be a bit of an exaggeration, but they certainly aren’t hitting the heights they seemed to be destined for earlier this season. Erling Haaland called for humility before seeing his team struggle to find a reason to celebrate and Enzo Maresca rubbished our Chelsea Predictions by suggesting his side aren’t close to a title surge! Nevertheless, this will be an enticing encounter for Premier League betting lovers.
SportsBoom offers honest and impartial bookmaker reviews to help you make informed choices. While we may earn commissions through affiliate links, our content remains independent and free from promotional influence. For more information, see our Content Transparency and How We Review pages.

Nicholas Jackson//Getty Images
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability – Chelsea the Underdogs
Home: 8/10 (1.8) – 51%
Draw: 31/10 (4.1) – 23%
Away: 53/20 (3.65) – 26%
Head-To-Head Record
Last five meetings (All Competition)
18/08/2024: Chelsea 0–2 Manchester City
03/08/2024: Chelsea 2–4 Manchester City
20/04/2024: Manchester City 1–0 Chelsea
17/02/2024: Manchester City 1–1 Chelsea
12/11/2023: Chelsea 4–4 Manchester City
Manchester City Current Form – WWWDW
So, at the risk of once again testing fate, is Manchester City back? When we started to get ahead of ourselves, they gifted Brentford valuable points…but they absolutely dismantled Ipswich in the league.
On the topic of goals, Erling Haaland’s new contract for City is great news. There is no doubt that he is an absolute talent in front of goal, and if ever the fans needed a lift this has surely given them one.
This hasn’t been the easiest season for Pep Guardiola or Manchester City, but as is the case with sport, a win against a rival club like this could certainly make things feel better.
Key Players to Watch
- Phil Foden: Phil Foden has been incredibly quiet this season. He hasn’t necessarily been the unrelenting weapon City are used to, but by his standards, he has been worryingly placid. The English attacking ace has seemed to have turned the corner and reminded the world of his ability in the league – City will be hoping this continues long into the future.
- Erling Haaland: Erling Haaland is without question one of the best finishers the Premier League has seen. The fact that people forget that, when he goes through a blip for instance, is simply intolerable.
How can we, in good faith, leave him off a ‘key players to watch’ list? - Matheus Nunes: Matheus Nunes has been impressive to watch at Manchester City. Their defensive system is very fluid and often largely dynamic, but even amidst his progressive approach to defending, Nunes still has the physicality and aggressiveness needed to be impactful for City. Keep an eye on him here.
Manchester City Team News
John Stones (foot injury), Oscar Bobb (broken leg) and Rodri (knee injury).
Chelsea Current Form – LLDWD
You just need to take one look at Chelsea’s current form to know that they aren’t anywhere near what we thought they could be after the start of the season. Yes, Enzo Maresca now has the chance to say, ‘I told you so’, but he still has a great deal to be proud of this season.
The turnaround at Chelsea between last season and this one is incredible. They look really balanced already, notwithstanding any additions they make during the summer, and one might begin to think next season could be interesting.
However, before we get there, they face a trip to the Etihad.
Key Players to Watch
- Josh Acheampong: The fact that Chelsea have struggled to keep players fit has been something largely advertised, but there have been players who have taken the opportunity and stepped up! Acheampong has been incredibly impressive this season, they will be hoping he continues his form here.
- Christopher Nkunku: Nkunku has settled into his role at Chelsea admirably, he plays second string to Nicholas Jackson but every time he has been given an opportunity, he seems to take it. If he can transfer his European form to the Premier League, Chelsea have a special player here.
- Moises Caicedo: Moises has struggled to find consistent starting positions for Chelsea, but in the absence of Lavia, he might find more and more opportunities to start in his natural position. There is no doubt Moises Caicedo is a great player, and you shouldn’t be surprised to see him have a massive effect on proceedings for Chelsea.
Chelsea Team News
Ben Chilwell (virus), Benoit Badiashile (muscle injury) Mykhailo Mudryk (banned), Cole Palmer (ankle injury), Romeo Lavia (muscle injury), and Wesley Fofana (hamstring injury) are all doubts.
Predicted Line-Up
Manchester City: 4-2-3-1
Ederson, Gvardiol, Dias, Akanji, Nunes, Kovacic, Gundogan, Doku, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland.
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1
Sanchez, James, Colwill, Chalobah, Cucurella, Enzo, Caicedo, Sancho, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson.
Suggested Bets
Our online football betting strategies and suggested bets for this encounter are outlined below.
Chelsea to Win: Chelsea are seemingly on the cusp of returning to their best, and when they do, they will no doubt earn a massive result! We are backing the Blues to claim all three here. 53/20 (3.6) with Pinnacle and Betway
Both Teams to Score (Yes): Neither side has really shown tremendous defensive prowess, so backing both teams to score might be the optimal play here. 9/20 (1.45) with 1xBet and Pinnacle
Chelsea + Both Teams to Score (Yes): Combine these two betting angles to maximise the value on offer. 4/1 (5.0) with 1xBet and Pinnacle
Value Bets
Over 2.5 Goals: Another betting angle to consider, especially if you agree that there are goals in this one, would be backing the over 2.5 goals market. 9/20 (1.45) with 1xBet and Pinnacle
Chelsea (Win/Draw): Hedging your bets a little bit on a Chelsea result would still provide punters with enough value to back the market. 8/10 (1.8) with 1xBet and Pinnacle
Nicholas Jackson (Anytime Goalscorer): Jackson will once again lead the line for Chelsea, and while he has struggled to endear himself to fans, we think he could be a good bet to find the back of the net. He is due a purple patch, and what a place to find one! 29/10 (3.9) with 1xBet and Pinnacle
Prediction: Chelsea Win
It is a prediction which will no doubt elicit an enquiring response from punters, but Chelsea is a side who have shown their ability and even with injuries, boast a talented squad. City have struggled and are still largely inconsistent – the odds available on the away win is simply a gift we must appreciate.

Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose articles have featured in some of the biggest sports publications in South Africa. With a strong understanding of all major sports and an in-depth understanding of betting, Ryan consistently delivers insightful content. He's also known for his ability to break down complex topics into engaging, reader-friendly pieces.
Related Content
- West Ham vs Ipswich Preview, Tips and Predictions
- Crystal Palace vs Liverpool Preview, Tips and Predictions
- Liverpool vs Chelsea Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions
- Manchester United vs Chelsea Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions
- English Premier League: Gameweek 10 Betting Preview & Predictions
- Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions
- English Premier League: Gameweek 12 Betting Preview & Predictions
- Aston Villa vs Chelsea Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Arsenal vs Manchester United Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions
- Liverpool vs Manchester City Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions
- Tottenham vs Chelsea Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Everton v Liverpool Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- English Premier League: Aston Villa vs Southampton Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions
- English Premier League: Brentford vs Newcastle United Preview: Odds, Tips & Prediction
- Crystal Palace vs Manchester City Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- English Premier League: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- English Premier League: Fulham vs Arsenal Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions
- Ipswich Town vs Bournemouth Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- English Premier League: Leicester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- English Premier League: West Ham United vs Wolverhampton Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Manchester City vs Manchester United Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Tottenham vs Liverpool Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- EPL Wolverhampton vs Ipswich Town Preview Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- EPL: Chelsea vs Brentford Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- EPL: Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction Dec 15, 2024
- Bournemouth vs West Ham: Preview, Odds, Tips and Predictions Dec 16, 2024
- EPL: Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- EPL: Brighton vs Crystal Palace Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Arsenal vs Everton United Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- EPL: Aston Villa vs Manchester City Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Liverpool vs Fulham Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- EPL: West Ham vs Brighton Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Newcastle United vs Leicester City Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Crystal Palace vs Arsenal Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction Dec 21, 2024
- EPL: Everton vs Chelsea Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Manchester United vs Bournemouth Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions
- Brentford vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction Dec 21, 2024
- EPL: EPL Ipswich Town vs Newcastle Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- EPL Fulham vs Southampton Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction, Dec 26, 2024
- EPL Arsenal vs Ipswich Town Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- EPL Leicester City vs Wolves Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Chelsea vs Fulham Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Fulham vs Bournemouth Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Manchester City vs Everton Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction, Dec 26
- Newcastle United vs Aston Villa Preview: Tips, Odds and Prediction – Dec 26, 2024
- Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction – Dec 26, 2024
- Tottenham vs Wolves Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction – Dec 29
- Manchester United vs Newcastle Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions
- EPL Wolves vs Manchester United Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- West Ham vs Liverpool Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction – Dec 29, 2024
- Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Aston Villa vs Brighton Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction – Dec 30, 2024
- Brentford vs Arsenal Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- EPL Liverpool vs Leicester City Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Southampton vs West Ham Preview: Odds, Tips and Predictions (Dec 26, 2024)
- EPL: Crystal Palace vs Chelsea Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Brighton vs Arsenal Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Fulham vs Ipswich Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Liverpool vs Manchester United Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Manchester City vs West Ham Preview: Tips, Odds and Prediction
- Everton vs Leicester Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Southampton vs Brentford Preview: Tips, Odds and Predictions
- EPL: Wolves vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- EPL: Chelsea vs Bournemouth Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction (14/1/2025)
- EPL: West Ham United vs Fulham Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction (14/1/2025)
- EPL: Brentford vs Manchester City Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- EPL Manchester United vs Southampton Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- EPL Ipswich vs Brighton Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Arsenal vs Tottenham Preview: Tips, Odds and Prediction
- Leicester City vs Crystal Palace Preview: Tips, Odds and Prediction
- Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Newcastle vs Wolves Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Everton vs Aston Villa Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Arsenal vs Aston Villa Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Newcastle vs Bournemouth Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Brentford vs Liverpool Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Leicester vs Fulham Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- EPL Ipswich vs Manchester City Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- EPL Chelsea vs Wolves Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- West Ham vs Crystal Palace Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- EPL: Everton vs Tottenham Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Manchester United vs Brighton Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- EPL Nottingham Forest vs Southampton Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Chelsea vs West Ham Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Fulham vs Manchester United Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- EPL Aston Villa vs West Ham Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- EPL: Crystal Palace vs Brentford Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Wolves vs Arsenal Preview: Tips, Odds, and Predictions
- Brighton & Hove Albion vs Everton Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Southampton vs Newcastle United Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
- Liverpool vs Ipswich Town Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Tottenham vs Leicester City Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Nottingham Forest vs Brighton Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Newcastle vs Fulham Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Preview: Tips, Odds and Prediction
- Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Bournemouth vs Liverpool Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
- Wolves vs Aston Villa Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction