An in-depth have a look at the facet we’ll face this weekend…
We go to Stamford Bridge for a 16:30 (UK) kick-off in opposition to Chelsea on Sunday 12 April.
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It’s our first Premier League outing in virtually a month, after Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup commitments both facet of the ultimate worldwide break of the season.
And now with eight video games left, it feels we’re really getting into the enterprise finish of the 2025/26 marketing campaign.
Metropolis go into the weekend 9 factors again from leaders Arsenal, however with a recreation in hand.
With the assistance of Opta knowledge, we have a look at the Chelsea facet…
Latest kind
Chelsea struggled all through March, dropping to PSG, Newcastle and Everton.
They’ve stabilised with an FA Cup thrashing of League One facet Port Vale however come into this recreation with just one victory of their final six Premier League outings.
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After 31 video games, they sit sixth within the desk with 48 factors. There’s little doubt they’ll be trying up at ending within the high 5 and qualifying for subsequent season’s Champions League.
Most popular lineup
Chelsea have usually chopped and adjusted all through the season however are likely to form up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Robert Sanchez has reclaimed his place in purpose after briefly shifting to the bench, whereas Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto are principally used at full-back, particularly with Reece James’ damage.
Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato and former Metropolis man Tosin Adarabioyo are all rotated within the centre of defence.
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Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos play deeper in midfield, behind the likes of Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho.
Enzo Fernandez is believed to be out of competition for choice after feedback through the latest worldwide break.
Joao Pedro is the primary alternative up high, with one other former Metropolis man in Liam Delap additionally an possibility.
Supervisor
Liam Rosenior is without doubt one of the Premier League’s freshest faces.
The 41-year-old was a full-back as a participant, showing for the likes of Fulham, Hull Metropolis and Brighton.
He surfaced as a coach as Wayne Rooney’s assistant at Derby County earlier than spells in command of Hull and Chelsea’s sister membership Strasbourg earlier than shifting to Stamford Bridge in January.
Since taking put up, he’s attracted loads of consideration for his press conferences and interviews as a lot as the way in which Chelsea have performed on the pitch.
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He’s received 5 of his 10 Premier League video games to date, scoring 19 targets and conceding 14.
Head-to-head file
We’re unbeaten in our final 9 Premier League video games in opposition to Chelsea since a 2-1 loss on the Etihad in Might 2021.
We’ve additionally received 4 of our final 5 journeys to Chelsea, as many as we had in our earlier 26 league visits.
In whole, we’ve performed one another 57 instances within the Premier League period – profitable 20 instances.
Earlier this season, a late, late Enzo Fernandez equaliser earned Chelsea a 1-1 draw on the Etihad Stadium after a Tijjani Reijnders strike.
How they assault
With 53 targets to date, solely Arsenal, Metropolis and Manchester United have scored than Chelsea.
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They’re very inventive although, with their 59.3 xG the perfect of all 20 sides. With 95 Opta-defined ‘massive probabilities’, they’re degree with Metropolis for that metric too.
They begin nicely, with solely three sides scoring extra within the first quarter-hour however they’re the fifteenth most prolific within the final quarter-hour.
With 20 targets from set performs, they’re the third most harmful from lifeless balls.
In the meantime, they’re the second most possession-focused facet within the league – solely behind Metropolis – finishing roughly 550 passes per match.
Joao Pedro is evident as their high scorer, netting 14 Premier League targets to date and offering a team-high 5 assists too.
Chelsea’s defence is weaker than their place within the desk would recommend, with 38 targets conceded the eighth most within the division.
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As they begin shortly going ahead, they’re additionally susceptible on the again – with their seven targets conceded within the opening quarter-hour the sixth most.
They’re most prone within the air, with their 11 headed targets let within the fourth most throughout all 20 groups.
With seven purple playing cards, no facet within the league has been down a person extra typically than the Stamford Bridge facet.
Sanchez is the sixth finest goalkeeper within the division when it comes to save share, stopping 70.2% of the efforts on his purpose.
Discover out extra about our new North Stand!
We’ve unveiled our plans for bars and hospitality areas within the North Stand on the Etihad Stadium.
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As , the brand new North Stand concourses will function massive TV screens, upgraded sound methods, and self-service kiosks designed to create a tremendous matchday expertise.
Seasonal Memberships for each Cross Bar and Metropolis Corridor at the moment are on sale for the 2026/27 season.
To search out out extra or enquire about buying a Seasonal Membership, observe the hyperlink under or name 0161 385 2012.