The stage is set for the Premier League match of the weekend as Chelsea welcome Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

The match will kick off at 4:30 pm Nigerian time.

XCLUSIVELAND reports that the reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea head into the game following a 7-0 win against Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-final, while Manchester City thrashed Liverpool 4-0.

The Blues are currently 6th in the Premier League table but will move up to 5th place, ahead of Liverpool, if they defeat Manchester City today. Man City, on the other hand, sit in second position and will reduce the gap to Arsenal to six points, with a game in hand, if they secure victory.

This comes after Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior will be without Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, and Reece James due to injury.

Chelsea assistant captain Enzo Fernandez will also miss the game, but Rosenior has confirmed that Estevao Willian is in contention to start his first Premier League match since February 2.

For Manchester City, manager Pep Guardiola will be without Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol due to injury.

John Stones withdrew from the England squad with a calf issue, although Guardiola stated on Friday that the defender could return to partial training ahead of the clash.

XCLUSIVELAND reports that this encounter between Manchester City and Chelsea could play a decisive role in the Premier League title race between current leaders Arsenal and Guardiola’s side.

It could also significantly impact the race for the top five positions, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Brentford, Everton, and Brighton all in contention.

Manchester United and Aston Villa currently occupy third and fourth place, with 55 and 54 points respectively from 31 matches.

Chelsea Host Man City in Crucial EPL Title and Top-Five Showdown