Chelsea v Man City Tips January 5

Chelsea boss Graham Potter is desperately hunting for a return to winning ways, while Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions are seeking to claw back some points on high-flying Arsenal.

For all that a match between Chelsea and Manchester City usually features two in-form sides, that’s not necessarily the case this time around.

A City victory would cut the gap at the top of the Premier League to just five points after Arsenal drew with Newcastle earlier this week. Meanwhile, success for Chelsea would put them within touching distance of the top six and give them a huge psychological boost.

Differing form

Potter’s side has not had the best of times of late and that’s putting it lightly. Chelsea have secured just one win in their last seven Premier League games, and they enter this match-up after scraping a point against relegation-troubled Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day.

On the other hand, Man City have won eight of their last 10 matches - and it’s no surprise that they’re heavy favourites to win (1.68) compared to the hosts (5.8).

It’s also worth noting that Guardiola’s squad has proven to be very difficult to beat on the road - they have lost just two away games in the league over the past season-and-a-half – and they score plenty, too.

Chelsea’s home form (one defeat in seven) isn’t awful, though, so both teams to score (1.88) might not be a bad shout. It’s worth noting that they have kept just one clean sheet in their last six games.

The Haaland Factor

We have to talk about Haaland, don’t we? The fact that you can only get him at 1.61 as an anytime goalscorer against a team like Chelsea is a bit mad in itself, but it’s also not a shock considering he’s scored in all bar three games so far.

It is crazy that he has picked up 21 goals from his first 15 Premier League, and it would take a brave person to bet against him finding the back of the net at Stamford Bridge.

The Norwegian was missing when the two sides met in the Carabao Cup in November, so he’ll be itching to add another name to his hit list in regards to teams that he’s scored against in his first season in English football.

Sterling’s struggles

After years as a pivotal figure in sky blue, Raheem Sterling has battled to make an impact in a darker shade of shirt since arriving in London. So often prolific in front of goal, the winger has recorded just four league goals so far.

Raheem Sterling: struggled to find his goal-scoring touch for Chelsea

“I think it has been a challenge for him,” his manager told the media ahead of this game. “It’s never easy to completely settle and hit the ground running.

“There is more to come from Raheem, I’m sure. He gives his best everyday and we need to help him get to the level we know he can get to.”

You can get him at 4.4 as anytime goalscorer, but it might be a big ask against a team that knows him inside out.