Chris Sutton and Paul Merson disagree on score prediction for Chelsea’s ‘huge game’ vs Manchester City

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Chelsea take on Manchester City this weekend in what feels like a huge fixture in the top-four race.

Chelsea travel to Man City on Saturday for a 5:30pm kick-off in the Premier League.

The Blues have had some time to prepare for the weekend clash because their last match was Monday night’s 3-1 win at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves boss Vitor Pereira hailed Chelsea as a “strong team” after the league meeting.

As for Man City, they’re facing a much shorter turnaround because they suffered a 4-2 defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night in the Champions League group stages.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca gives mixed injury update ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Manchester City, two key players set to return

Chris Sutton and Paul Merson predict Manchester City vs Chelsea

Chris Sutton is tipping Man City to record a home win over Chelsea on Saturday in the important clash.

“This is a huge game in the race for the top four and it feels like anything could happen,” Sutton told BBC Sport. “I definitely don’t see City keeping Chelsea out, but my gut feeling is still that they will win this. Sutton’s prediction: 2-1.”

Meanwhile, Paul Merson completely disagrees because he’s predicting a Chelsea away win at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow evening.

Merson told Sportskeeda: “City couldn’t live with PSG when they started having a go in that second half. Chelsea can do the same in my opinion. If Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson can run at them, I think they will cause City some serious problems. Pep Guardiola’s men may not be able to live with that kind of pace and energy… Prediction: Manchester City 1-3 Chelsea.”

Chelsea will consolidate a place in the top four with a victory

Chelsea go into the weekend matches clinging on to fourth in the division standings, but they’ll be overtaken by fifth-placed Man City if they lose to them. On top of that, sixth-placed Newcastle travel to bottom of the table Southampton tomorrow afternoon.

However, positive Blues supporters may look at Saturday as a great chance to consolidate a spot in the top four.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	21	15	5	1	50	20	30	50
2	ArsenalArsenal	22	12	8	2	43	21	22	44
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	22	13	5	4	33	22	11	44
4	ChelseaChelsea	22	11	7	4	44	27	17	40
5	Man CityManchester City	22	11	5	6	44	29	15	38
6	NewcastleNewcastle	22	11	5	6	38	26	12	38
7	B’mouthBournemouth	22	10	7	5	36	26	10	37
8	Aston VillaAston Villa	22	10	6	6	33	34	-1	36

Chelsea are targeting a return to the Champions League in 2025, so Man City away is the type of game that will define whether or not they achieve that.

The Blues are without a win in their previous 10 games versus Man City across all competitions. Hopefully, they can end a streak that stretches back to the Champions League final in 2021.