Chelsea host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge this afternoon in what could be a huge day in the battle for the Premier League title.
Arsenal’s desperately poor 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday has opened the door for City once again.
While the Gunners are still nine points clear at the summit, Pep Guardiola’s side can cut that deficit today ahead of next week’s titanic clash between the two sides at the Etihad.
Chelsea could do their London rivals a huge favour today having already taken points off City earlier in the season.
Liam Rosenior’s side have lost their last two in the Premier League and remain without Enzo Fernandez today.
Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.
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April 12, 2026 4:36 pm
6 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Man City
Phil Haigh
First flash of something from Chelsea as Palmer leads a break. It eventually comes back to the former City man who makes space for a shot but it’s wide.
April 12, 2026 4:36 pm
5 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Man City
Phil Haigh
Strong start from the visitors here. Rodri gets to the byline but his cross is easily held by Sanchez. The goalkeeper attempts a quick long ball but it looks a bit desperate and doesn’t find its mark.
April 12, 2026 4:34 pm
3 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Man City
Phil Haigh
Bernardo Silva plays it short and Doku meets a cross at the back post, his nod across goal is cleared. City looking threatening in the opening exchanges.
April 12, 2026 4:33 pm
2 mins: Chelsea 0-0 Man City
Phil Haigh
Man City win the first corner of the game as Cucurella puts it behind.
April 12, 2026 4:30 pm
Phil Haigh
Chelsea are in their traditional blue and Manchester City in their quite ugly changed strip of grey and luminous green.
The visitors get the game going at Stamford Bridge.
April 12, 2026 4:27 pm
The teams are in the tunnel
Phil Haigh
Moises Caicedo and Bernardo Silva are about to lead their sides out.
April 12, 2026 4:24 pm
Neville predicts a ‘thriving’ Man City
Phil Haigh
Gary Neville tells Sky Sports: ‘The reason Man City have never been out of this title race is because they have Donnarumma, Dias, Rodri and Haaland. Then they have the manager.
‘They have an incredible spine. The ‘heavy legs’ that Arsenal have… City won’t have that.
‘They will be thriving today. They’ll have a little smirk on their face after yesterday’s result.’
April 12, 2026 4:17 pm
Phil Haigh
April 12, 2026 4:12 pm
Haaland back in form?
Phil Haigh
The big Norwegian had been enduring a bit of a lean spell by his standards, with just one goal in seven matches for club and country.
However, he burst back into life last time out with a hat-trick against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
April 12, 2026 4:03 pm
Another bad day out for Spurs
Phil Haigh
Roberto De Zerbi starts his spell in charge of Tottenham with a 1-0 loss at Sunderland and Spurs remain in the bottom three.
Nottingham Forest boost their own survival hopes with a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, while Crystal Palace beat Newcastle 2-1.
April 12, 2026 3:57 pm
Can Man City regain Premier League form?
Phil Haigh
It has been a busy time for Manchester City in knockout competitions, winning the Carabao Cup and keeping their FA Cup dream alive, but their Premier League form has been under par.
Their last two league outings were draws with Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
April 12, 2026 3:51 pm
Chelsea missing key defenders
Phil Haigh
Liam Rosenior spoke out on the returns of a defensive trio in his pre-match press conference.
‘Trevoh (Chalobah) is working really, really hard. He is back on the pitch,’ he said.
‘Levi (Colwill) is in full training but still needs to overcome some hurdles in terms of selection.
‘Reece has been running today, which is great, but no, I’ve got a good squad and we’re ready to go and take on Man City.’
April 12, 2026 3:46 pm
Drama around the grounds
Phil Haigh
We’re into the last few minutes of the games elsewhere in the Premier League…
Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa
Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham
April 12, 2026 3:44 pm
Why is Enzo Fernandez not playing?
Phil Haigh
April 12, 2026 3:42 pm
Chelsea’s last win over Man City at Stamford Bridge?
Phil Haigh
Any guesses?
It’s a long while ago.
Frank Lampard was in charge as Christian Pulisic and Willian scored the goals in a 2-1 win in June 2020.
April 12, 2026 3:37 pm
Guardiola says this is must-win for Man City
Phil Haigh
Manchester City can still win the Premier League, but Pep Guardiola feels they must win every game left.
‘If you don’t win in Stamford Bridge, that is not an easy place to go, maybe you don’t need to make the press conference before Arsenal, because it will be over,’ he said. ‘Everybody knows it. You know it, I know it, the players know it, everybody knows it in England. There’s how many games left, you have to win all of them. It’s not one draw, no, forget about it.
‘Nine points is a lot of points against that Arsenal. But if we win there (at Stamford Bridge), if we win against Arsenal at home, and of course, you always live the illusion. The wish is always there to try to do it but in reality, I’m not naive to say it’s going to happen.’
April 12, 2026 3:26 pm
Liam Rosenior urges his side to go at Man City
Phil Haigh
The Chelsea boss said: ”I don’t think it’s about stopping them. It’s about trying to win the game, and it’s about playing your way.
‘Obviously, you can talk about the many strengths that they have, how well coached they are, and their understanding. They’ve been together for a long time, but we’re at home and we want to take the game to them in our way and make sure that we express ourselves in the way that I think we’re capable of.’
April 12, 2026 3:26 pm
Estevao gets the chance to impress
Phil Haigh
The 18-year-old has made 34 appearances in all competitions this season, but just 10 Premier League starts.
The Brazilian gets the chance to shine in a big one today.
He has eight goals to his name this campaign.
April 12, 2026 3:18 pm
Phil Haigh
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella, Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro.
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Tosin, Sarr, Essugo, Lavia, Garnacho, Guiu, Delap
Man City: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Semenyo, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Ake, Marmoush, Kovacic, Nico, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Foden
April 12, 2026 3:14 pm
Chelsea have really struggled against Man City of late
Phil Haigh
Recent seasons have been bleak for Chelsea when they’ve comeup against Manchester City.
The west Londoners have not won any of their last 12 meetings with Pep Guardiola’s men, dating back to their victory in the Champions League final in 2021.
It’s a good one to win, to be fair, but since then it has been three draws and nine Man City wins across all competitions.
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