Man Cityvs.Chelsea

Pep Guardiola's side were last in action on Tuesday, drawing 2-2 with Barcelona, while Chelsea recorded a 3-0 victory over Club America on Wednesday.

Match preview

It is difficult to read too much into Man City's pre-season, especially as a number of their key players are still missing due to international commitments, but it has not quite been the results or the performances that Guardiola would have been looking for.

Indeed, the English champions, who ended last season with a 2-1 loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup final, opened their pre-season with a 4-3 defeat to Celtic, before suffering a 3-2 loss to AC Milan in their second tour fixture.

Man City managed to draw 2-2 with Barcelona on Tuesday, before the Catalan outfit won 4-1 on penalties, and it was an improved performance from the Manchester club, with Nico O'Reilly and Jack Grealish on the scoresheet.

Guardiola's side will now conclude their US tour against Chelsea before heading back to England to prepare for the Community Shield, with Man United their opponents on August 10.

Man City will then begin the defence of their Premier League title with a trip to Chelsea on August 18, with this match a dress rehearsal for that fixture, which is shaping up to be an intriguing contest.

Chelsea, meanwhile, started their pre-season with a 2-2 draw against Wrexham before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Celtic in their second US Tour fixture.

The Blues did manage to put a victory on the board on Wednesday, though, with Christopher Nkunku, Marc Guiu and Noni Madueke on the scoresheet in a 3-0 success over Club America.

Enzo Maresca's side will play twice more in the United States this summer, following this fixture with a clash against Real Madrid on August 6, before heading back to England for their final friendly of the summer against Inter Milan on August 11.

Chelsea, as mentioned, will begin their new league season against Man City, and there will be European football at Stamford Bridge next term, with the London club set to take part in the Conference League.

The Blues have been busy during this summer's transfer window, with Filip Jorgensen their latest arrival from Villarreal, but their biggest signing of the market in terms of a transfer fee is still Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City.

Manchester City friendly form:

L

L

L

Chelsea friendly form:

D

L

W

Team News

Ederson remains with Man City despite the ongoing talk surrounding a potential move away from the club, and the Brazil goalkeeper should again start between the sticks.

The Citizens are missing a number of important players due to international commitments over the summer, with Kyle Walker, John Stones, Rodri, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez among those unavailable.

Erling Haaland is with the squad, though, and he is set to lead the line, while Grealish, Oscar Bobb and James McAtee could again feature as the three behind the Norway international.

As for Chelsea, Jorgensen could make his full debut for the Blues on Saturday after appearing as a half-time substitute against Club America.

Enzo Fernandez is back with the squad, featuring off the bench on Wednesday, and he is again expected to be involved as a substitute in this contest.

There will be changes to the starting side, with Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana likely to be introduced into the defence, but Guiu should keep his spot at the tip of the attack, with the summer arrival bidding to convince Maresca to keep hold of him for the coming season rather than sanction a loan exit.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ederson; Lewis, Phillips, Gvardiol, Wilson-Esbrand; O'Reilly, Kovacic; Bobb, McAtee, Grealish; Haaland

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Jorgensen; James, Adarabioyo, Fofana, Chilwell; Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke, Nkunku, Sterling; Guiu

We say: Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea

These are such difficult matches to predict, especially with Man City missing so many of their important players. Guardiola's side were improved against Barcelona last time out, though, and we are backing a low-scoring draw between the two Premier League rivals here.

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