Chelseavs.Man City

The Blues kick off a new era under Enzo Maresca with an incredibly bloated squad, who flattered to deceive in pre-season after Mauricio Pochettino led them to a sixth-placed top-flight finish last term.

Man City were far from perfect during their exhibition period as well, but Pep Guardiola's men - who are chasing a fifth straight Premier League title - have already earned one honour this term, beating Manchester United on penalties in the Community Shield.

Here, Sports Mole picks out some of the best pre-game stats ahead of Chelsea and Man City's blockbuster battle.

CHELSEA

Chelsea hold the all-time Premier League record for points won on the opening weekend with 67, while only Manchester United (22) have won more gameweek one fixtures.

Only two of Chelsea's previous 19 opening-day matches at home have ended in defeat, and none since a 3-2 defeat to Burnley in 2017.

Chelsea are beginning a top-flight season against the reigning champions for the first time in 53 years, last losing 3-0 to Arsenal at the start of the 1971-72 First Division.

Pochettino led the Blues to five straight wins at the end of the 2023-24 season. Should Chelsea prevail on Sunday, they would have won six Premier League games on the bounce for the first time since November 2019, when Frank Lampard was in charge.

The hosts have also won each of their last five Premier League games at Stamford Bridge and have scored at least twice in 12 of their last 13 games at their West London home.

Maresca will be the fourth Chelsea manager to take charge of their first Premier League game against the defending champions, after Claudio Ranieri, Avram Grant and Rafael Benitez, none of whom won their opening matches.

Cole Palmer finished the 2023-24 season with 33 direct goal contributions, 22 of his own and 11 assists, more than any other player in the division.

Sixteen of Palmer's goals came at Stamford Bridge, a number only previously achieved in a single season by Didier Drogba (2006-07) and Lampard (2009-10).

MAN CITY

Man City have only failed to win one of their last 13 opening-day contests in the Premier League, losing 1-0 to Nuno Espirito Santo's Tottenham Hotspur in 2021.

The champions won each of their last nine Premier League games last season, scoring multiple goals in each game, and they are unbeaten in 23 straight top-flight contests.

Away from home, Man City have won five top-flight games on the spin and have kept clean sheets in each of their last four; they last recorded five straight Premier League shut-outs on the road in April 2022.

Sunday's game will mark the eighth season in a row that City have started a Premier League campaign away from home.

Man City midfielder Rodri is unavailable for the weekend due to injury; since 2019, the Citizens have a 55.6% win rate in the Premier League without the Spaniard, compared to 74.4% when he plays.

Erling Haaland could make Premier League history by becoming the first player to score at least twice on the opening weekend in three straight seasons, following braces against West Ham United in 2022 and Burnley in 2023.

The Norway international is chasing a third straight Golden Boot this season - only Alan Shearer (1994-95, 1995-96 and 1996-97) and Thierry Henry (2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06) have finished atop the Premier League scoring charts three years on the bounce.

HEAD TO HEAD

Man City are unbeaten in their last nine competitive clashes with Chelsea, who have not conquered their counterparts since the 2020-21 Champions League final.

Should Man City avoid defeat on Sunday, they will set a new club record of 10 straight matches without defeat against the Blues, whom they also beat 4-2 in pre-season.

Both Premier League meetings last season ended level, including an exhilarating 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge, before Man City won 1-0 in their FA Cup semi-final.

Chelsea have not beaten City at Stamford Bridge since June 2020, a 2-1 win which handed Liverpool the Premier League title.

Sergio Aguero is the top scorer in matches between Man City and Chelsea with 13 goals, while Jimmy Greaves and Lampard have eight apiece.