Chelsea vs. Manchester City: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Chelsea begin the new Premier League season once again with a new manager in the dugout and plenty of new faces on the pitch, and opening games don't get more difficult than with a visit from champions Manchester City.

Enzo Maresca is the latest head coach tasked with turning Chelsea into title contenders and the former protege of City boss Pep Guardiola will be desperate to get one over on his former master.

That looks unlikely, though, and City are favorites to get their latest title defense off to a winning start at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Chelsea vs. Manchester City betting picks and predictions

Manchester City to win & both teams score (+210)

Manchester City won the Premier League title for the fourth season running in 2023/24 and they are favorites to make it five in a row in the new campaign.

The Citizens finished like a train last term, as they often tend to do, winning their final nine games of the campaign to hold off the challenge from fast-finishing Arsenal.

Chelsea also ended the season strongly, with a six-match unbeaten run in which they won five times helping the Blues to a sixth-place finish.

That wasn't enough for the ambitious owners, though, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino parted ways with the Stamford Bridge side to be replaced by Italian head coach Maresca.

Maresca led Leicester City to the Championship title and is tasked with lifting Chelsea further up the Premier League standings after several years off the pace at the top.

It looks a difficult task, though, as there are plenty of top-quality sides to get past while another hefty influx of new players will take some time to acclimate.

Maresca has a huge job on his hands but his former boss Guardiola has a settled side to choose from and should be able to make a successful start to their title defence.

City are unbeaten in nine meetings with Chelsea, winning on seven occasions and backing the Citizens to win a match which sees both teams scoring looks a decent bet.

Manchester City to win 3-1 (+1400)

City have dominated this fixture recently and they powered towards the Premier League title with a bulldozing final fling last season.

Their nine-match winning run saw them plunder 33 goals and they can get back among the goals in a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Both sides are unlikely to be at their sharpest given the early stage of the season, so that could lead to an open affair in West London.

Both teams have scored in four of Chelsea's last six matches and the Blues can at least grab a consolation in defeat.

Cole Palmer anytime goalscorer (+200)

Cole Palmer played a bit-part role in England's summer foray to the European Championship final, but when he did get into the action, the youngster made it count with a stunning equalizer in the Berlin decider.

That wasn't the first time Palmer has shone on a big occasion and he will be keen to build on a successful 2023/24 campaign in which he finished second in the goalscoring charts with 22 goals.

Palmer was let go by City and he will be desperate to show them what they are missing on Sunday. 

The Chelsea forward is also likely to be on penalty duty, too, so backing the 22-year-old to get on the scoresheet this weekend looks a decent wager.

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Chelsea vs. Manchester City odds

Chelsea	+310
Draw	+200
Manchester City	-125

Chelsea vs. Manchester City player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)	+100
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)	+200
Phil Foden (Manchester City)	+200
Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea)	+250
Marc Guiu (Chelsea)	+275
Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)	+275

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.