Alan Shearer believes Manchester City will prove too strong for Chelsea when the two sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, April 12, with the title race hanging delicately in the balance.
Writing in his his Metro prediction column, Shearer suggested the Cityzens are unlikely to slip at such a crucial stage of the campaign.
With the pressure mounting and little margin for error, the former striker expects City to rise to the occasion against a Chelsea side still navigating inconsistency.
He pointed to recent performances as evidence of City’s ability to deliver when it matters most, highlighting their commanding displays against top opposition.
For Shearer, those performances are not isolated moments but indicators of a team peaking at the right time.
“Man City have to win every game with that huge game against Arsenal next weekend. I think with what we saw against Arsenal, with what we saw particularly against Liverpool after 25 minutes, City were brilliant, probably one of the best performances of the season.
“I would think they would carry that on, and I think City will win against Chelsea. If Man City don’t win and Arsenal win this weekend, I think the Premier League title race will be dead and buried.”
Man City’s title charge gathers pace
As the season approaches its decisive weeks, the focus has intensified on Manchester City and their pursuit of yet another league crown. Every fixture now carries significant weight, and any dropped points could have lasting consequences.
Shearer’s assessment reflects a broader sense that City’s experience in high-pressure situations gives them an edge.
Their ability to control matches, particularly against fellow title contenders, has been a hallmark of their success in recent years.
Performances against both Arsenal and Liverpool have underlined their credentials, reinforcing the belief that they remain the team to beat.
The stakes are particularly high given what lies ahead. A meeting with Arsenal looms large, and the outcome of the Chelsea fixture could shape the narrative heading into that clash.
Victory would maintain momentum and keep the pressure firmly on their rivals, while anything less could shift the balance in the title race.
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Earlier in the season, City were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea, a result that came during a period of transition for the London side.
Chelsea’s challenges and team news
For Chelsea, the build-up to this fixture has been far from straightforward. The absence of key personnel has complicated preparations, and manager Liam Rosenior must once again contend with a limited selection.
Midfielder Enzo Fernández, who scored a late equaliser in the earlier meeting between the sides, remains unavailable due to suspension. His absence removes an important creative outlet and further disrupts the team’s balance.
Rosenior, however, has taken encouragement from recent developments within the squad. He confirmed that several players are making progress in their recoveries, even if they are not yet ready to feature.
“There are no new updates, but the positive is Estevao having 90 against Port Vale. Otherwise it’s the same really. Trevoh (Chalobah) is working really hard and is back on the pitch. Levi (Colwill) is training but still has some hurdles to overcome first, and Reece (James) has been running today. None of them will be ready for Man City but they are working well.
“We have a good squad and they look really, really good. I know it was a game we were expected to win, but the way we went about things against Port Vale was very good and hopefully that springboards the rest of our run-in.”
