Thursday night throws up an intriguing contest as Manchester City look to add to Chelsea’s current woes when the Premier League giants meet at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues of West London are facing a real battle for a top-four finish, while City will be eager to get back to familiar winning ways after a frustrating stalemate with Everton last time out.

What	Chelsea v Manchester City
Where	Stamford Bridge, London
When	20:00, Thursday 5th January 2023
How to watch	Sky Sports Main Event
Odds	Chelsea 17/4, Draw 16/5, Man City 8/13

Pressure mounting on Potter

Graham Potter has only been in the Chelsea job since September but already the pressure is starting to build on the shoulders of the English manager.

The Blues hierarchy brought in the 49-year-old in the hope the former Brighton manager could kick-start their season after a disappointing start to the Premier League campaign under his predecessor Thomas Tuchel.

However, one win in their last seven league games has left Chelsea down in 10th place in the table after Tuesday night's encounters.

With ten points between themselves and fourth-place Manchester United, it will take some effort for Chelsea to secure Champions League football for next season. The Blues are currently 4/1 To Finish In Top 4. 

Chelsea’s cause has not been helped by a host of injuries amongst the squad, with the likes of N'Golo Kante, Reece James and Armando Broja all sidelined.

Wesley Fofana is a doubt for the arrival of the reigning champions on Thursday but there is hope Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could possibly feature.

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City backlash on the cards

After the frustration of being held to a 1-1 draw by strugglers Everton, City boss Pep Guardiola will be desperate for his side to get back to winning ways.

Following Arsenal's goalless stalemate with Newcastle United, a win for the Citizens would see them narrow the gap on the Gunners to five points.

City went into the World Cup break on the back of a shock 2-1 defeat on home soil to Brentford but they initially responded well upon their return to action by beating Leeds United 3-1 at Elland Road.

Few would have expected Frank Lampard’s Everton to get anything at the Etihad Stadium last weekend but a Demarai Gray goal cancelled out Erling Haaland's opener in Manchester.

A swift response is needed and City have the majority of their players available for the trip to the capital.

Guardiola has just two players out injured, with Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias recovering from back and hamstring injuries respectively.

A tight battle expected at the Bridge

Dominance between these sides had swayed over the past few seasons but City have had the upper hand in their most recent encounters.

Since losing the Champions League final to Chelsea in Porto in 2021, City have gone on to win all of their last three games against the Londoners in all competitions.

Guardiola's side edged out 1-0 wins both home and away in the Premier League last season and the same scoreline on Thursday is available at 7/1. 

The last meeting between the sides came earlier this term with City running out 2-0 winners in the League Cup clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Second-half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez secured City’s progress in the competition, in a match that saw Haaland as an unused substitute.

The Norwegian goal machine will be used from the off on Thursday and will be eager to add to his 21 Premier League goals for the season.

Haaland has scored three goals since the return to league action after the World Cup, notching a brace against Leeds before bagging the opener against Everton.

The 22-year-old is 4/5 to score at any time against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while the former Borussia Dortmund star is 12/5 to score the opening goal of the game. 

Both teams to score has only landed in one of the last six meetings between these teams in all competitions and one side to fail to find the back of the net on Thursday is available at 19/20.