Champions League - Final
After outplaying star-studded PSG in the semis, Man City will be aiming to win their first Champions League trophy when they take on Chelsea in an all-English final at Estadio do Dragao.
This Week 💥#UEL Final #VILMUN#UCL Final #MCICHE pic.twitter.com/9QtRJut2x0
— Match Day (@Match__Daay) May 25, 2021
The Citizens are enjoying yet another season to remember, and they surely want to put icing on the cake on a very successful campaign. Well-rested midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will be the man to watch in Pep Guardiola’s team.
Joao Cancelo returns from a domestic ban, while Ilkay Gundogan is pushing for a start after he was rested in a 5-0 win over Everton.
The Blues, on the other hand, proved their worth in the double-header against Spanish giants Real Madrid.
First-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is rated doubtful for the title game after injuring his ribs in the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, while N’Golo Kante is facing race against clock to be fit for the Champions League final.
Anyhow, a close encounter is on the cards, and seeing that both teams are likely to adopt a cautious approach in the decider, under 2.5 goals betting option should be considered.
It's game time! 🎮⚽
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 27, 2021
Who will be celebrating on Saturday? @PlayStationEU | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/pACGLp4yHz
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Manchester City vs Chelsea: Head-to-head (h2h)
Teams Manchester City Chelsea played so far 49 matches.
Manchester City won 19 direct matches. Chelsea won 25 matches. 5 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.76 goals per Match.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Prediction
Manchester City in actual season average scored 2.16 goals per match. In 24 (85.71%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 16 (57.14%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Chelsea average scored 1.67 goals per match in season 2021. In 19 (67.86%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 12 (42.86%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
The centre circle in Gelsenkirchen that evening 😍 https://t.co/X3F3DkVyk2 pic.twitter.com/6qFBKKlZOQ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 26, 2021
Team News:
Man City boss Guardiola once again has the unenviable task of selecting from a fully-fit squad for Saturday's final, as Ilkay Gundogan has brushed off a recent scare to declare himself fit.
Gundogan should therefore man the midfield alongside Bernardo Silva - who is aiming to extend his unbeaten Champions League streak to 27 games - while Fernandinho's exemplary showing against PSG could see him rewarded with a start over Rodri.
Joao Cancelo was nowhere to be seen against Everton and is facing an uphill battle to displace Oleksandr Zinchenko on the left-hand side, with Kyle Walker all but guaranteed to start on the right.
Guardiola's policy of leaving out a recognised number nine in the Champions League continues to work wonders, and the City boss has affirmed that there can be no room for sentiment, so Sergio Aguero may be forced to cope with a substitute outing in his final game for the club.
Aguero on the bench would allow Kevin De Bruyne to function as a false nine with Foden and Mahrez alongside him, with the former set to become the third-youngest English player to feature from the first whistle in the Champions League final.
Chelsea boss Tuchel does have a couple of concerns to manage for the showpiece event, though, as first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy had to be replaced at half time against Villa after colliding with the post.
Tuchel is optimistic that Mendy will be able to pull on the gloves this weekend, though, and N'Golo Kante is also expected to be fit despite missing the final day of the Premier League season with a thigh issue.
Cesar Azpilicueta has had his red card at Villa Park rescinded, although that would not have affected his participation in the final, and the Spaniard should take his rightful place in the back three alongside Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger.
A fit-again Mateo Kovacic will aim to demote Jorginho to the bench after playing a minor role in Real Madrid's previous Champions League successes, and Kante ought to be well enough to man the engine room.
Mount is untouchable in the front three, and Tuchel has two huge calls to make in the final third, but compatriots Timo Werner and Kai Havertz could be trusted in Porto.
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Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko; Fernandinho, Gundogan, Silva; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Foden
City stars touch down in Porto ✈️ 🇵🇹#UCLfinal | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/BdVmN7ydQf
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 27, 2021
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Kovacic, Kante, Chilwell; Mount, Werner; Havertz.
🦁 @ChelseaFC checking in ✅#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/8Y6r6jnzMz
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 27, 2021
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