Manchester City vs Chelsea Prediction & Betting Tips - FA Cup

Prediction published on 06/01/2023, 07:35  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 06/01/2023 at 08:35 in FA Cup Predictions

Manchester City play Chelsea for the second time in a week. This time the game is at the Etihad and it's an FA Cup third round tie. The home side may have dominated the Premier League and the EFL Cup in recent years but that hasn't been the case in the FA Cup. They have won the cup in 2011 and 2019 but those are their only two successes since 1969. City have reached the semi-finals stage in five of the last six seasons and not since 2012 have they been beaten in the third round.  Three of their four games played since the English season resumed have been won, the other being a 1-1 home draw with Everton. City won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening, a win they probably value more than a win in the FA Cup. They will make changes for this game but looking at the bench they had for Thursday's game, their squad is a lot stronger than that of their opponents and that's why they should make it into the fourth round.

Chelsea have had a lot more recent FA Cup success than their opponents. The Londoners have lifted the trophy five times this century and been beaten finalists in the past three seasons. Not since 1998 have they been knocked out in the third round but this is the toughest draw they could have been given. The loss on Thursday has left them in 10th place in the Premier League and it's becoming even more difficult for them to get into the Champions League next season. Chelsea have only won one of their last six competitive games and before the loss to City, could only draw at relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest. Three of their last four away games have been lost and they also lost an away friendly to Aston Villa. Back City to get the win.