Man City vs Chelsea LIVE: Cole Palmer out to hurt former club’s Premier League title chances – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Manchester City will be hoping to keep up with Liverpool in the Premier League title race when they take on Chelsea this weekend. 

Pep Guardiola’s side have won all of their last six games and are finding their familiar form when it comes to the battle at the top. 

Erling Haaland scored twice as Man City beat Everton last time outCredit: Getty

City are known to step up when things get tough and they’re chasing down their rivals as they sit two points behind the Reds with a game in hand. 

Mauricio Pochettino will be out to stop their winning streak though, as his Blues look to rise up the table and put an end to their torrid campaign. 

Manchester City vs Chelsea: Cold Palmer 

A key man that could possibly help Chelsea scupper City’s plans is their old academy product. 

Cole Palmer is hitting new heights at the Blues and he is starring in the Premier League. 

The 21-year-old has become a leader in London already, scoring 10 goals this season as well as providing six assists.

For City, he didn’t manage to score a single league goal as he only played a bit-part role under Guardiola. 

And now Palmer returns to the Etihad for the first time aiming to show what his former side are missing out on. 

Should he help Chelsea to a crucial three points in Manchester, he will massively hamper City’s top-flight title chances. 

Palmer has been superb this season Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League meetings with Manchester City, with that coming via a 2-0 home win in December 2018 under Maurizio Sarri. Manchester City have won six of their last eight Premier League home games against Chelsea (L2), keeping a clean sheet in five of those victories.

Manchester City vs Chelsea: Team news 

City were dealt an injury blow in midweek as Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva were substituted with knocks. 

The pair are likely to miss out and so is Josko Gvardiol who is set to be sidelined until next month. 

Mateo Kovacic is expected to be back fit to feature if needed against his former club. 

As for Chelsea, they are dealing with an injury crisis once again. 

Thiago Silva has picked up a knock while Benoit Badiashile will be absent for a few weeks. 

Both of those players join Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Marc Cucrella, Robert Sanchez, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana on the sidelines. 

Palmer will lead the line against his former employers at the Etihad. 

Grealish picked up an injury against CopenhagenCredit: Getty The 4-4 draw between Man City and Chelsea in the reverse fixture ended a run of 16 Premier League games without a draw between the sides. The last time both meetings ended level in a season was in 2014-15. Manchester City and Chelsea played out a 4-4 draw in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge – the most goals scored between these sides in a single Premier League campaign is nine in 2009-10, with the Citizens winning 2-1 (h) and 4-2 (a) that season.

Manchester City vs Chelsea: What has been said? 

Chelsea are starting to find some positivity this season and Enzo Fernandez is happy to see things finally falling into place.

Fernandez said: “There's a long way to go until the end of the season.  

“We are working hard every day, all the players and the coaching staff. We are moving forward and doing our best.

“We're on the right track and hopefully, we can win two titles this season. That's what we're looking to do.”

Chelsea have won their last two away games 3-1Credit: Getty Manchester City haven’t lost any of their last 22 home Premier League matches (W18 D4), with only Liverpool on a longer unbeaten run at home (24). City are also on the longest scoring run on home soil in the competition, scoring in their last 44 games at the Etihad and netting 135 goals in these games. Manchester City have won their last six Premier League matches, having only won one of their previous six games (D4 L1). Four of those wins have come in 2024 – the only time they’ve won their first five Premier League games in a calendar year was in 2021 (won first 13 games).

Manchester City vs Chelsea: How to follow 

This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, February 17. 

Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is scheduled for 5:30pm. 

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. 

talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also keep you up-to-date with all the action.