Chelsea vs Manchester City prediction: expert analysis, possible lineups, May 16, 2026
English Premier League
On May 16, 2026, the English FA Cup final will see Chelsea face Manchester City. The favorite is obvious, but the trophy is arguably more important for their opponent.
Chelsea vs Manchester City: Team News and Expert Analysis
The London club hired Maresca ahead of last season. In his first year, he secured fourth place in the Premier League, won the Conference League, and claimed the Club World Cup. However, January began with his resignation and a disastrous appointment of Rosenoir, who was eliminated from the League Cup, Champions League, and went on a losing streak in the Premier League in record time. Without him, Chelsea secured only one point in two matches against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.
The Manchester giant finished last season with a loss in the cup final, and after several league titles, had to settle for third in the Premier League. The new football year hasn’t been smooth either, highlighted by a Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid. However, in the spring, they managed to beat Arsenal in the League Cup final and catch up with them in the league table. Points were soon dropped against Everton, but they thrashed Crystal Palace in the most recent round.
In the FA Cup, Chelsea started with wins over lower-tier teams — Charlton, Hull, Wrexham, and Port Vale. Only in the semi-final, already without Rosenoir, did they beat Leeds 1-0. Guardiola’s side began with a 10-1 victory over Exeter, then beat Salford, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Southampton in the semi-final.
Head-to-head: Chelsea vs Manchester City
Haaland and company have won four of the last five official meetings, with one draw.
The nominal visitors are noticeably stronger. We predict they will win in regular time (odds – 1.7).
Chelsea vs Manchester City: Key Stats and Trends
- Chelsea, without a full-time manager, has won one of their last three matches
- On average, Chelsea scores 1.53 goals and concedes 1.36 goals per match
- 61% of Chelsea’s matches end with goals from both teams and an average total of 2.89 goals per game
- Manchester City has won eight of their last nine matches
- On average, Manchester City scores 2.08 goals and concedes 0.89 goals per match
- 47% of Manchester City’s matches end with goals from both teams and an average total of 2.97 goals per game
Chelsea vs Manchester City: Probable Starting Lineups
Chelsea are expected to line up in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Sanchez – Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Gusto – Caicedo, Lavia – Garnacho, Fernandez, Pedro Neto – Joao Pedro. Gittens, Estevao, and Mudryk are confirmed absentees; Sanchez, Garnacho, and Joao Pedro are doubtful.
Manchester City are expected to use a 1-4-3-2-1 formation (possible lineup): Trafford – Ait-Nouri, Ake, Stones, Matheus Nunes – Foden, Cherki, Kovacic – Gonzalez, Reijnders – Marmoush. Gvardiol is not ready to return.
Place your bets on the upcoming match and keep track of your team’s position in the FA Cup standings
