**Date:** Sunday 12th April 2026
**Venue**: Stamford Bridge
**Kick-off:** 16:30 BST
This afternoon, Stamford Bridge welcomes Manchester City for a Premier League clash with a lot riding on it.
Chelsea stroll into today’s game feeling quite chuffed after a 7-0 FA Cup demolition of Port Vale. Sure, Port Vale are rock bottom of League One, but seven goals is seven goals I suppose. City, meanwhile, have reminded Liverpool what it feels like to be battered, winning 4-0 in a display that says, “We’ve remembered how to play football again”, and sadly, it’s just in time to face us.
Premier League form? Best left in the lost property box, frankly. Newcastle and Everton have both handed us our coats recently. City aren’t exactly flying either, with two draws on the bounce—though April is like City’s birthday month; they always turn up with cake and party hats. We haven’t beaten City since the Champions League final in 2020/21, so statistically, we’d be due a win—but none of us believe in fairy tales, do we? Arsenal’s result yesterday has only helped City, and with two games in hand and Arsenal looming, that 9-point gap might shrink. We continue to live in hope.
We’re still dreaming of a Champions League spot ourselves—even if our actual Champions League credentials are about as convincing as a dodgy kebab after midnight. Liverpool’s result yesterday means that even if we win, the top five remains the stuff of fantasy football for now though.
As for the outcome today, the world, his wife, and her cat are all hoping for a City win, but the thought of Arsenal winning the title will do that to you!
**MANAGER’S VIEWS**
Going into today’s game, Liam Rosenior says, _“”It would be three points which takes us closer to our objective, which right now is to qualify for the Champions League. That’s all we can focus on. We have to play teams who are fighting relegation, teams who are mid-table, teams who are pushing at the top end of the league. It doesn’t matter because every game is so difficult in this league and we know it’s going to be a big challenge on Sunday, but it’s one that we’re looking forward to.”_
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, says _“If you don’t win at Stamford Bridge – that’s not an easy place to go – maybe we don’t need to make the press conference before Arsenal because it’ll be over. Everybody knows it. You know it, I know it, the players know it, everybody knows it. England knows it. So, there’s how many games left? You have to win all of them, all. Not one draw, no. Forget about it.”_
**SQUAD NEWS**
For Chelsea, Levi Colwill (ACL), Trevoh Chalobah (ankle), Jamie Gittens (thigh), Reece James (thigh), and Filip Jorgensen (groin) are all injured, whilst Mykhaylo Mudryk continues with the never ending suspension. Benoit Badiashile could return from an illness but Enzo Fernandez remains on the naughty step.
For Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol (leg) and Ruben Dias (hamstring/knock) are both still out. John Stones pulled out of the England squad with an injury but I wouldn’t buy into any of the international injuries anymore and would expect him to be available.
**TEAMS**
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Tosin, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Estevao; Pedro
MANCHESTER CITY (Possible line-up): Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Silva, Rodri; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
**LAST SEASON**
Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City (18th August 2024)
**CURRENT FORM (PL)**
CHELSEA: DDLWLL
MANCHESTER CITY: WWWWDD
**OTHER STUFF**
* Chelsea are without a win in their last nine Premier League games against Manchester City
* Manchester City have won four of their last five away games against Chelsea in the Premier League
* Chelsea have lost both of their last two Premier League games
* Manchester City have drawn both of their last two Premier League games
* Manchester City have won 28 of their last 31 Premier League games in the month of April
**PREDICTION**
[Sportsmole](Preview: Chelsea vs Manchester City - prediction, team news, lineups - Sports Mole): Chelsea 1-3 Manchester City