Chelsea and Manchester City face each other at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with expectations for both teams at the start of this season very different.

Just a few weeks ago, City won 4-2 at Ohio Stadium when these teams played a pre-season match, while the corresponding match last season ended in a thrilling 4-4 ​​draw.

WATCH CHELSEA VS MANCHESTER CITY LIVE

Enzo Maresca is now in charge at Chelsea and has had a tough summer in which so many players have been added and the transfer strategy has been seriously questioned as he has massively changed the style of play. Enzo Fernandez apologizes to his Chelsea teammates after posting a video on social media involving himself and his Argentine teammates chanting a racist and discriminatory song insulting French people, and Maresca has had a lot to sort out on and off the pitch. The good news is that Cole Palmer has signed a new long-term contract ahead of this season, which is a massive boost, but expectations are low at Chelsea given they have to compete in the Europa Conference League and most Blues fans would rip your hand off right now if you offered them a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.

PREDICTION FOR CHELSEA VS MANCHESTER CITY

On the other hand, Manchester City are aiming for five Premier League titles in a row. But the news this week revolved around Premier League chief executive Richard Masters saying it was “time for a solution”. the hearing on their 115 charges of alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. Many reports say the hearing will begin in September 2024 and it looks like a decision will be announced by the end of 2024. On the pitch: Pep Guardiola and City won the Community Shield on penalties against Man United at Wembley Stadium last weekend Many of their international stars have finally returned to full training after most of them missed their pre-season tour of the USA. Erling Haaland has been involved all summer and looks fresh, hungry and motivated to lead the line-up as City aim for another trophy-winning season.

How to watch Chelsea vs Manchester City, stream link and start time

Kick-off time: 11:30 a.m. ET, Sunday (August 18)
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TV channels: ABC
Streaming: Watch it on NBC.com

Chelsea team news, focus

The only two players Chelsea are missing due to injury are star right-back Reece James, who continues to struggle with his long-term issues, and goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is also out. Maresca started up front with teenage striker Marc Guiu in preseason and could be deployed in attack, while Conor Gallagher’s future at Chelsea is still uncertain but his move to Atletico Madrid has not yet been confirmed. Chelsea have switched between 3-4-2-1 and 4-2-3-1 formations in preseason and Maresca’s possession-based style has not really worked yet, as it is a big change in playing philosophy compared to Mauricio Pochettino’s last season.

From: Reece James (thigh), Djordje Petrovic (other), Omari Kellyman (other)

News and focus on the Manchester City team

Oscar Bobb had a good pre-season and much was expected of the young Norwegian winger but he picked up a serious lower leg injury in training and is out for the foreseeable future. Rodri is on his way to match fitness after being injured playing for Spain in the EURO 2024 final, while Jack Grealish had a very good pre-season before being forced out of the Community Shield last weekend with a hamstring injury. All the big boys are back now with Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Phil Foden ready to go.

From: Oscar Bobb (lower leg), Rodri (unknown)