Chelsea vs Manchester City

Stamford Bridge sets the stage for a blockbuster 2024/25 Premier League opening-day showdown between Chelsea and Manchester City.

Despite securing a return to Europe after a season-long absence, courtesy of a sixth-place finish last term, Chelsea sacked Mauricio Pochettino in June, replacing him with former Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca. He’s the fourth permanent manager at Stamford Bridge under Todd Boehly’s regime in the past two years. However, the Italian’s tenure has been off to a woeful start, with the Blues registering just one win in six pre-season matches (D2, L3). Maresca could render those friendly woes insignificant with a win against Manchester City on the opening Premier League weekend. Yet, since beating the Citizens in the 2021 Champions League final, Chelsea’s record in this fixture has been humiliating, with seven defeats in nine (D2), including seven scoring blanks.

Meanwhile, Manchester City made history last season, becoming the first team in English top-flight football to win four consecutive titles, pipping Arsenal to the crown by only two points. Pep Guardiola’s high-flying side picked up where they left off in May, defeating Manchester United in last weekend’s Community Shield final on penalties (1-1) to start the new season on the front foot. Known for their traditionally superb league starts, the visitors have won their opening Premier League game in 12 of their past 13 seasons (L1). The only blemish on that record ominously came in London in 2021, with Chelsea’s fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur getting the better of Guardiola’s charges. That trend looks set to continue as Man City finished last season with five multi-goal margin league wins on the road.