Up until a while ago, the Premier League turned into a three-horse race between three of the best managers in the game. However, a few draws, injuries and covid-19 issues later, both Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp are set to see Pep Guardiola carry another title, meaning that the league is Manchester City’s to lose. 

So a fixture between City and Chelsea, in the midst of all that the league is dealing with, is certainly a booster for fans. Since anything can happen when these teams come face-to-face, let’s sit through a preview to get an idea or a glimpse of what Pep and Tuchel could do in 90 minutes. 

Matchday 22 of 38 is here 

With the postponement of matchday 18 resulting in fixtures being held in midweek, we were not short of Premier League action. However, it’s now time for the big games as matchday 22 promises to offer us a lot. Apart from the Blues’s visit to the City of Manchester Stadium, we also have an interesting clash between Spurs and the Gunners taking place on the 16th at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Regardless, let’s dig into the main clash of the night between City and Chelsea. 

Date and Venue

Manchester City vs Chelsea will be held on the 15th and is set to be played at the City of Manchester Stadium.

What has Tuchel learned from City’s previous visit?

One of the obvious questions that come to mind when you see a second clash between City and Chelsea is to understand what Tuchel learned from the first encounter between these two teams at Stamford Bridge. The first game between these teams took place at Stamford Bridge on the 25th of September and saw Chelsea register zero shots on target. And to top it all, Tuchel had all the reinforcements that he wanted when compared to how the squad is currently suffering from injuries and Covid-19.

So what would Tuchel do differently is to be seen. Will he bring a change in midfield? And more importantly, will Romelu Lukaku be given a chance to perform? 

Chelsea’s current injury problems 

Ben Chilwell - Ruptured Cruciate Ligament

Reece James - Hamstring Injury

While Chelsea was able to see out the absence of Chilwell, to a certain extent, when they played against Liverpool, they did miss the attacking powers of Reece James.

What does Pep have in mind?

When you look at all the clashes between Pep and Tuchel, you will begin to realise that Guardiola has understood how the German works and the different techniques that he could possibly bring to the table. Which makes it all the more surprising to recall the 2020-21 Champions League finals where Pep could not get past his man. However, that could also mean that Tuchel has a few surprises under his belt which even the likes of Pep Guardiola could not master.

Due to that, Manchester City Vs Chelsea is more of a chess game where two tacticians decide how their soldiers play. While Guardiola will already have everything in place, he will never be taking this fixture lightly. Pep could make a few changes in the forward line-up while his usual set of players like Ruben Dias, Rodri, Joao Cancelo and so on will end up being irreplaceable.

Could it end up being a draw?

Considering the quality of players from either of the sides, one can always expect a draw to emerge from nowhere. Take, for example, Chelsea Vs Liverpool. While Tuchel’s men did stage a staggering comeback, they failed to take the lead forward while Edouard Mendy ensured that the Reds followed suit. Moreover, Tuchel can work his way out with Guardiola, meaning that there is a possibility that the game will end up as a draw. 

Pep Guardiola Vs Thomas Tuchel: Head-to-head

Bayern Munich, Mainz, Dortmund, Manchester City and Chelsea are a few of the teams that have been coached by Pep and Tuchel and also a few of the teams that have met each other during their tenure. While the early days of Bayern Munich and Mainz did not project the tactical ability that they master, clashes between Dortmund and Bayern Munich did bring about a difference for good.

Manchester City Vs Chelsea: Head-to-head

Manchester City and Chelsea have given us 49 different Premier League games, out of which only 7 have ended as draws. While Chelsea hold the majority of the share for leading in terms of victories, it was during a period when City was not taken over by a rich man.

Manchester City Vs Chelsea: Recent Meetings

• Chelsea Vs Manchester City - 0-1 (25th September 2021)

The previous meeting between these two sides ended in City going away with three points as Tuchel and his men failed to register a single shot on target, leaving the Champions to leave as winners. 

• Manchester City Vs Chelsea - 1-2 (8th May 2021)

City may have won over Chelsea in the current season but they failed to do so towards the end of the previous season. Despite starting with a 44th minute lead from Raheem Sterling, Chelsea went home with three points, thanks to second-half goals from Hakim Ziyech and Marcos Alonso.

• Chelsea Vs Manchester City - 1-3 (3rd Jan 2021)

If City got the better of Arsenal at the start of 2022, they managed to get the better of Chelsea at the start of 2021. Goals from Gundogan, Foden and De Bruyne sealed victories for City against Chelsea during this clash in the previous season.