As the 2024/25 Premier League season kicks off, all eyes are on Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will face reigning champions Manchester City in a highly anticipated match. This clash, scheduled for 18.08.2024 16:30, promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams have much to prove in the early stages of the season.
Chelsea’s Turbulent Summer
Chelsea enters the season under the guidance of their new manager, Enzo Maresca, the former Leicester City coach. Maresca is the fourth permanent manager appointed by Todd Boehly in just two years, reflecting the ongoing turbulence at Stamford Bridge. The preseason has been anything but smooth for the Blues, with only one win in six matches (2 draws, 3 losses). However, all preseason woes will be forgotten if Chelsea can secure a victory against the Premier League’s top team.
Since their memorable 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final, Chelsea has struggled against Pep Guardiola’s side. In their last nine encounters, the Blues have failed to win (2 draws, 7 losses) and haven’t scored in their last seven meetings. Breaking this streak will be crucial for Maresca as he seeks to build confidence early in the campaign.
Manchester City’s Winning Start
Manchester City, fresh off their Community Shield victory over Manchester United at Wembley, will be looking to continue their dominant form. The Citizens, under the brilliant leadership of Pep Guardiola, are chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title. While the season ahead may be clouded by the impending decision regarding their alleged violation of 115 Premier League rules, Guardiola’s men will aim to keep their focus on the pitch.
City has a remarkable record of starting their Premier League campaigns strongly, having won their opening match in 12 of the last 13 seasons (1 loss). However, their only slip-up came in the capital against Chelsea’s rivals, Tottenham, in 2021. This fact might give Chelsea fans a glimmer of hope as they prepare to welcome the champions to Stamford Bridge.
Players to Watch:
For Chelsea, all eyes will be on their new signing Pedro Neto, who aims to make an immediate impact. Neto had a fantastic start to last season with Wolves, contributing to eight goals in his first ten appearances (1 goal, 7 assists). On the other side, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva continues to be a key player, finishing last season with four assists in his final four matches and scoring in the Community Shield against United.
Where to Watch Live:
Fans looking to watch the Chelsea vs. Manchester City game live can catch the action on Goal stream Now . For those searching online, various streaming platforms will be providing live coverage of this Premier League blockbuster. Don’t miss a minute of this high-stakes match—tune in to see if Chelsea can overcome their recent struggles against the champions or if Manchester City will continue their march towards yet another title.
