<p><a class='ath_autolink' href='https://theathletic.com/team/manchester-city/'>Manchester City</a> face <a class='ath_autolink' href='https://theathletic.com/team/chelsea/'>Chelsea</a> in the early <a class='ath_autolink' href='https://theathletic.com/premier-league/'>Premier League</a> kick-off this afternoon.</p><p></p><p>The Premier League champions will want another win to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 13 points. They have won their last five in the league games and last seven matches in all competitions.</p><p></p><p>Chelsea, meanwhile, will be hoping to get a result to get over a tricky patch in the league. They have won just one of their last five, drawing the other four.</p><p></p><h2>Background reading</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://theathletic.com/3066700/2022/01/15/explained-why-teams-rarely-press-liverpool-and-manchester-city/" target=_self>Why teams don't press Manchester City</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://theathletic.com/3068619/2022/01/14/how-do-you-value-a-football-club/" target=_self>How do you value a football club?</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://theathletic.com/3068885/2022/01/13/lukaku-how-tuchels-new-4-2-2-2-system-suits-him-and-chelseas-manchester-city-dilemma/" target=_self>Why Tuchel's 4-2-2-2 suits Lukaku</a></strong></li></ul><p></p><p><em>(Photo: Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)</em></p>