Chelsea travels to Manchester City following a rocky start to 2026, which saw Enzo Maresca sacked, casting doubt over the project.
As the Blues look for a new manager and Calum McFarlane steps in as the interim coach, Pep Guardiola’s City aims to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal, who recently extended their advantage to four points.
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City’s draw against Sunderland has given Mikel Arteta’s team a comfortable cushion, while Chelsea is struggling, having gone winless in their last three league matches, including a 2-2 draw at home with Bournemouth. They risk falling further behind in the race for a top-four finish.
In their last encounter, a 3-1 victory for City in January last year marked Chelsea’s 11th consecutive match without a win against their rivals since winning the Champions League final in Porto back in 2021.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming match at the Etihad Stadium
When is Man City vs Chelsea?
The Premier League match between Man City and Chelsea is set to kick off at 5:30 PM GMT on Sunday, January 4, at the Etihad Stadium.
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How can I watch it?
Fans in the UK can catch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with online streaming available through Sky Go and Sky Go Extra. Coverage begins at 5 PM GMT.
If you’re not a Sky subscriber, you can purchase a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Confirmed line-ups
Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Haaland.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto, Fernandez, James, Estevao, Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro.
Team news
Pep Guardiola has made three adjustments to his lineup that drew with Sunderland last time. In defense, Josko Gvardiol returns in place of Nathan Ake, while key midfielder Rodri steps in for the injured Nico Gonzalez.
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Savinho is replaced by Tijjani Reijnders in the final change, with the Dutchman coming into midfield and Phil Foden shifting to a more forward position.
Interim Chelsea manager Calum McFarlane has introduced five changes from the side that drew with Bournemouth earlier this week.
In goal, Robert Sanchez is replaced by Filip Jorgensen, who did not even make the bench. In defense, Wesley Fofana is swapped out for Benoit Badiashile, who is also absent from the substitutes.
Reece James partners Enzo Fernandez in midfield as Moises Caicedo is suspended, while Pedro Neto takes Alejandro Garnacho’s place on the wing and Joao Pedro starts in place of Liam Delap up front.