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Chelsea welcomes Manchester City to Stamford Bridge for the 1st of their 2 matchups this season. Kickoff in both team’s season-opening battle is set for 11:30 a.m. ET (NBC / Fubo / Telemundo). Below, we preview FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Chelsea vs. Manchester City odds, and make our best EPL bets, picks and predictions.
Chelsea has a loaded roster that will look to improve upon its finish last season. It was 11-4-4 at home last season and finished 6th in the EPL, averaging 1.66 points per game. It drew City 4-4 at home and 1-1 on the road in 2023. Chelsea will be returning many key players like leading scorer F Cole Palmer, who netted 22 goals and tallied 11 assists in 33 matches.
Manchester City, which won the EPL last season, will be returning most of its key starters. City is led by M Kevin De Bruyne in the middle of the pitch but has F Erling Haaland and F Phil Foden leading the attack up top. The latter 2 respectively scored 27 and 19 goals. City averaged 2.39 points per game and finished with a 14-2-3 road record.
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Chelsea vs. Manchester City odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Chelsea +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Manchester City -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Draw +290
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: +140 | U: -170)
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Chelsea vs. Manchester City picks and predictions
Prediction
Chelsea 1, Manchester City 1
Moneyline (ML)
BET DRAW (+290).
Many of City’s key players are getting older. De Bruyne is 33, and D Kyle Walker is 34. They could struggle to find their footing coming out of the gate. The high-end talent is still there to be the favorite to win the EPL this season, but Chelsea should have an improved roster and has several key players on the rise.
Also, a season ago, City struggled with Chelsea, having as many expected goals in the 4-4 match at Stamford Bridge. City and Chelsea tied 2 of the 3. The lone non-draw match was a 1-0 City win in the FA Cup semifinal. Considering those close those were and where this match, expect a close battle, and for this value, take DRAW (+290).
Over/Under (O/U)
BET ALTERNATE UNDER 2.5 (+145).
Two of the 3 games a season ago between these 2 teams went Under this total. On top of that, City had the 2nd-best defense in the league a season ago, allowing just 34 goals.
Chelsea allowed 63 goals last season but did bring in F Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham to bulk its center-defending depth. Given that addition and City’s strength a season ago, take UNDER 2.5 (+145).
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