TipStar: Manchester City vs Chelsea preview and prediction

Manchester City, Premier League Champions for the third time running, welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium for their last home game of the season. (6PM EAT)

The Citizens have already wrapped up the league with three games to spare, and they are currently four points clear of second-placed Arsenal. They have been in scintillating form in recent weeks, winning their last 11 league games. Pep Guardiola's men have also been unbeatable at home since the start of the year, winning all 16 of their matches at the Etihad Stadium. They have scored 56 goals in those games, conceding just seven.

Chelsea, on the other hand, could finish in the bottom 10 for the first time since 1996. Eight points behind 10th-placed Fulham (with a game in hand), the Blues face Man City, Man United and Newcastle United in their final three games., leaving room for doubt for more important points to be claimed.

Team News

Manchester City: Manchester City have won 16 home games in a row, scoring three or more goals in 13 of them. Ilkay Gundogan has scored at least a goal in his last 4 appearances. They are currently on a 23-game unbeaten streak. City's only injury worry is defender Nathan Ake, who has a hamstring injury. Guardiola is expected to make slight changes to his starting XI, with Aymeric Laporte coming in for either Akanji or Walker. Riyad Mahrez might start ahead of Bernardo Silva as he has scored four goals in his last three games against Chelsea. Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez are also hoping to start after coming off the bench in midweek. Gundogan could start in the centre midfield with Haaland finishing things up top

Chelsea: Chelsea hasn't won any of their past 14 Premier League matches against teams ranked higher than them in the table, and they've lost six out of their last seven visits to the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea have a lot of injuries. Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, and Armando Broja are all out. Benoit Badiashile, Kalidou Koulibaly and Mateo Kovacic are doubtful. Wesley Fofana could replace Badiashile.Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah should be able to play, with might also play, Raheem Sterling is likely to start after scoring twice last weekend.

Interim Chelsea boss Frank Lampard [Courtesy]

Manchester City form (Last six Premier League games): WWWWWW

Chelsea form (Last six Premier League games): LLLLWD

Manchester City possible starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Stones, Rodri, Mahrez, Alvarez, Gundogan, Grealish, Haaland

Chelsea possible starting XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Silva Badiashile, Loftus Cheek, Gallagher, Enzo, Hall, Sterling, Madueke, Felix.

STANDARD TIPSTAR PREDICTION: Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea

With their deep roster, Manchester City has the ability to easily defeat Chelsea, who are only playing for honour and going through a trial period as the season comes to an end. We see a GOAL-GOAL encounter ending with a city win in front of their fans. HOME WIN is best.