Chelsea qualified for the Carabao Cup final with a 3-0 aggregate win over Tottenham in midweek. With that win, Thomas Tuchel has now led the Blues to three cup finals in just 350 days since taking charge, with a fourth potentially on the way this weekend.
Tuchel's team is now 10 points behind Man City in the Premier League after losing four of their previous five games. Meanwhile, the defending champs are on a roll, and their winning streak has put them in complete command of the standings. Chelsea must win at the Etihad Stadium if they are to have any chance of turning things around.
Man City has won 14 of their previous 15 games, with their lone defeat coming in a dead rubber Champions League match against Leipzig. The Citizens have blown everyone away in the league with an 11-game winning streak towards the end of the year.
City kept their winning streak continuing by defeating Arsenal on New Year's Day, and they'll be in no mood to lose against the Blues. City has won eight of its 10 home league games this season, and they have won 17 of their 21 league games overall.
City is on a roll, and they come into this match having won their last two league games at home, 6-3 and 7-0. Kevin De Bruyne has returned to his best form after that fantastic return, scoring three goals in two games.
De Bruyne has scored three goals and added an assist in his previous four Premier League meetings against Chelsea. The Belgian should feel confident, and he's a good value to keep his current form against his previous team.