English Premier
2026-04-12 - Chelsea vs Manchester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 12th April 2026 - Kick Off 2pm
This game is live on TV
Chelsea
A place in the FA Cup Semi Final was secured with the minimum of fuss last weekend in Chelsea's thumping win over Port Vale, while the news that the Premier League will have the top five entering the Champions League is another boost. However, Liam Rosenior is well aware that there is pressure on his shoulders to make sure Chelsea secure one of those places and this is a big Premier League game coming up this Sunday.
The young manager is still trying to put a stamp on the squad and the decision to 'suspend' Enzo Fernandez for two games was made with that in mind after comments made by the midfielder on international duty. Beating Port Vale without him is one thing, but this is a much sterner test for Chelsea who are 6th in the Premier League table and a point behind Liverpool in the top five. The Blues have a disappointing 6-5-4 record at Stamford Bridge in the top flight this season.
Chelsea needed Extra Time to beat Wrexham in the FA Cup Fifth Round and then lost the next 4 games in all competitions entering the March international break. The goals being conceded in those defeats are a massive issue and even the 7-0 win over Port Vale in the FA Cup Quarter Final will have done little to ease the concerns. Chelsea had not won any of the previous 4 home games in all competitions before the win over an opponent from League One and Chelsea had failed to score in consecutive home defeats.
As mentioned, Enzo Fernandez is suspended by the club for this fixture. Benoit Badiashile should have overcome an illness, but Reece James is a doubt and Trevoh Chalobah is expected back early next month.
Manchester City
The League Cup trophy was secured before the March international break and Manchester City's thumping win over Liverpool in the FA Cup Quarter Final means they are favourites to complete the domestic Cup double. There is still faint hope that Manchester City can use those Cup successes to propel them to a late push to win the Premier League, but Pep Guardiola is well aware that the margin for error is incredibly thin now.
They are returning to top flight action in 2nd place in the Premier League table and Manchester City are 9 points behind Arsenal with a game in hand. The expectation is that The Gunners would have widened that gap on Saturday, but Manchester City can only focus on improving the 7-4-4 away record in the Premier League and remain relatively in touch with Arsenal before hosting them next weekend.
Manchester City had not won any of 3 games in all competitions and suffered two defeats to Real Madrid in that run before beating Arsenal in the League Cup Final three weeks ago. Wins at Anfield and Elland Road had given Manchester City some away momentum in the Premier League, but they were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham United most recently in this Division.
John Stones and Ruben Dias are edging closer to a return and they will be hoping to travel with the squad to the capital.
Head to Head
Manchester City and Chelsea drew 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium in January.
Chelsea have not won any of the last 5 home League games against Manchester City and have been beaten in 4 of those matches.
Prediction
This is a big game for both Chelsea and Manchester City on Sunday, but there could be an argument that there is more on the line for the home team.
Liam Rosenior has been under pressure and the run of 4 losses to Paris Saint-Germain (twice), Newcastle United and Everton would have really hurt. The manager cannot have been happy with some of the quotes his players have given to journalists while on international duty and it has resulted in Enzo Fernandez serving a club suspension.
He is going to be a big miss, while other members of the squad have not quite gotten fully behind the young manager.
Enzo Maresca was a popular figure amongst the squad and Liam Rosenior has yet to really convince, while Chelsea are in a big fight to merely return to the Champions League.
Of course it is important for Manchester City to try and keep up with Premier League leaders Arsenal, but the domestic Cup successes have given the players a taste of what they can achieve. The FA Cup is definitely more attainable for Manchester City over the coming two months, but Pep Guardiola will be keen for his team to try and push Arsenal a bit more in the title race.
The performances against Arsenal and Liverpool are really encouraging for Manchester City and they certainly have the qualities to win against a Chelsea team that are far from convincing at the back. Erling Haaland has looked refreshed after the international matches in March and that was highlighted in the hat-trick scored last weekend and Manchester City deserve to be favourites here.
Chelsea can cause problems with the attacking players they have, but there is some unrest at Stamford Bridge and Manchester City can take advantage by picking up the three points as an odds against favourite on Sunday afternoon.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City
