Chelsea will begin their 2024-25 season against reigning champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Aug. 18 in what will be Enzo Maresca’s first competitive game in charge, the Premier League fixtures revealed on Tuesday.
Currently, Chelsea rank 6th, while Manchester City hold 13th position.
Team News
Haaland’s influence has been fundamental in driving the club’s aspirations to seize the ultimate prize in English football. With five goal contributions in the competition, he will look to add more to his tally and avoid another elimination after being eliminated from the Champions League. He is recognized for his rapid pace, physical power, adept positioning, and clinical finishing abilities within the penalty area.
With Kyle Walker returning from injury in the second leg of the Champions League, there is no fresh injury concern for Manchester City.
Chelsea have been grappling with numerous injury concerns throughout last season, with Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, and Lesley Ugochukwu unavailable for this game. Additionally, Levi Colwill’s participation remains uncertain due to injury.
Manchester City advanced to the semi-finals after beating Newcastle United in the previous round. This win marked a historic achievement, as the team progressed to their sixth consecutive FA Cup semi-final, a milestone unprecedented in English football. City’s chances of a second consecutive treble were shattered in the quarter-final of the Champions League, when Real Madrid beat them in the second leg in penalties.
Chelsea reached the semi-final of the competition after a 4-2 victory over Championship side Leicester City at Stamford Bridge last season. Chelsea’s recent form mirrors that of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, with four victories and two draws in their last six matches. Chelsea are coming into this match after a commanding 6-0 triumph over Everton, highlighted by Cole Palmer’s four-goal haul.
Prediction
Chelsea have endured a frustrating season, highlighted by their defeat to injury-hit Liverpool in the EFL Cup final, but they can revive their fortunes by beating FA Cup semi-final opponents Manchester City at Wembley this weekend.
There was heavy criticism of the Chelsea players after their unambitious extra-time offering in the EFL Cup final. But they responded by going on an eight-game unbeaten run and appear ideally primed for their next Wembley mission after Cole Palmer-inspired 6-0 demolition of Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer’s four-goal salvo took him level with Erling Haaland at the top of the Premier League scoring charts and boosted his chances of winning the PFA player of the year award, but the 21-year-old is more interested in team honours than individual accolades and will be desperate to make a major contribution under the famous arch.
There have been more than a few occasions this season when Palmer has stood out amid a sea of mediocrity.
However, there are more recent signs that his teammates are raising their levels and that gives the Londoners realistic hope of springing a surprise.
There was a swagger and intensity about Chelsea’s performance against Everton, and the Blues could be facing City at an opportune moment.
City’s defence of the trophy has gone fairly smoothly to this point with 14 goals scored and only two conceded.
Instead they must face another high-stakes match against dangerous, in-form opponents.
Pep Guardiola may be tempted and even compelled to ring the changes after admitting that Manuel Akanji, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland had been unable to go to the end on Wednesday night. And there are plenty of hungry, high-quality players waiting for an opportunity.
From a physical standpoint City should not have too many problems but the mental challenge of shrugging off the midweek setback could be far greater.
City are a team who usually grasp the nettle at the end of a season but they are up against a Chelsea team with a knack of reaching domestic finals.