Chelsea host Manchester City with both sides desperate for three points

Chelsea welcome second-placed Manchester City to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon in a match that carries very different stakes for two clubs whose seasons are heading in opposite directions.

April 12, 2026

chelsea manchester city premier league april 2026

City chasing Arsenal, Chelsea chasing Europe

City arrive in west London on 61 points from 30 matches, nine behind league leaders Arsenal who lost 1-2 at home to Bournemouth on Saturday. Junior Kroupi opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Viktor Gyokeres levelled from the penalty spot. Alex Scott's 74th-minute strike then sealed a famous win for Bournemouth at the Emirates. That result handed Pep Guardiola's side a lifeline in the title race, and anything less than three points at the Bridge would feel like a missed opportunity.

Chelsea's problems are more immediate. Liam Rosenior's side sit sixth on 48 points, having taken just five from a possible 18 in recent weeks. A Champions League spot is the minimum expectation given the spending under the Boehly-Clearlake ownership group, but the form has been rotten. Chelsea need wins, not draws, if they want to stay in the race for European football next season.

Team news and absentees

Chelsea will be without Enzo Fernandez, who remains dropped following an internal disciplinary issue. Rosenior confirmed on Friday that the Argentine will not feature on Sunday but hopes to reintegrate him soon. Reece James, Levi Colwill, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Filip Jorgensen and Trevoh Chalobah are all still sidelined through injury.

City will be missing Ruben Dias with a muscle problem and Josko Gvardiol, while John Stones is a doubt after pulling out of England duty with a calf issue. The defensive absences have forced Guardiola to reshape his backline, with Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi expected to start at centre-back.

History favours City

Chelsea have not beaten Manchester City since the 2021 Champions League final. In 181 meetings between the two clubs, Chelsea hold a narrow 71-68 advantage overall, but City have dominated the fixture in recent years. Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final last weekend and will fancy his chances against a Chelsea defence that has struggled for consistency.

City still have games in hand on Arsenal with eight matches left to play. A win at Stamford Bridge, followed by Arsenal's visit to the Etihad on April 19, could change the shape of the title race entirely.