The new Premier League season heats-up with a blockbuster fixture on Match Day 1, as former champions Chelsea host defending champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 18.
Chelsea enter the match at the end of a rather underwhelming preseason campaign, having won just one of their six friendlies.
Pep Guardiola's team did not have an impressive preseason either, with three consecutive losses to start with. However, City did beat Chelsea 4-2 in their last friendly, before beating Manchester United on penalties to win the FA Community Shield.
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The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Chelsea vs. Man City live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Premier League match in the U.S.:
TV channel: NBC
Live stream: Fubo, Universo NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, NBC app/site, Peacock
This game is available for live TV broadcast on NBC. Streaming options are available on Fubo, which offers a FREE trial to new subscribers. This match can also be streamed on Universo NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, NBC app/site, Peacock.
What time does Chelsea vs. Man City kick off?
This Premier League clash takes place at Stamford Bridge in London, England and kicks off on Sunday August 18 at 4:30 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sun, Aug. 18 | 11:30 a.m. |
| Central Time | Sun, Aug. 18 | 10:30 a.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sun, Aug. 18 | 9:30 a.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sun, Aug. 18 | 8:30 a.m. |
Chelsea vs. Man City lineups, starting 11, team news
Levi Colwill partners Wesley Fofana at the centre of defence for Maresca's first league game in charge, while a combative midfield sees Romeo Lavia join Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
Pedro Neto, who joined from Wolves for £54 million, will have to make his debut from the bench. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a former standout under Maresca at Leicester, is also among the substitutes.
Reece James is sidelined with a four-match suspension carried over from last season and a hamstring injury that could keep him out until September. Conor Gallagher, who captained in James' absence last year, is training with the Under-21s amid a potential move to Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea confirmed XI (4-3-3, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella — Lavia, Caicedo, Fernandez — Palmer, Jackson, Nkunku.
Injured: Reece James
Suspended: Reece James
Phil Foden, John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Rodri missed last weekend's Community Shield victory due to an extended break following their participation in the Euro 2024 final. All except Rodri hae returned to the matchday squad, but only on the bench. That means Mateo Kovacic starts in midfield, and Rico Lewis remains at right-back.
City will be without Oscar Bobb, who fractured his fibula in training and is expected to be sidelined for up to four months. Bernardo Silva, who scored in the Community Shield, starts alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. Savinho replaces Bobb on the right wing for his Premier League debut.
Man City confirmed XI (4-1-4-1, right to left): Ederson (GK) — Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol — Kovacic — Savinho, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Doku — Haaland.
Injured: Oscar Bobb, Rodri
Suspended: None
Chelsea vs. Man City prediction
Defending champions Manchester City are favourites to take three-points away from this tie, but it will not be easy against the home team Chelsea.
The hosts have struggled with form in recent times, but could be buoyed to put on a show with home support.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City
Premier League fixture schedule this week
Friday, August 16
- Man Utd vs. Fulham (3 p.m. ET)
Saturday, August 17
- Arsenal vs. Wolves (10 a.m. ET)
- Everton vs. Brighton (10 a.m. ET)
- Newcastle vs. Southampton (10 a.m. ET)
- Nottingham Forest vs. Bournemouth (10 a.m. ET)
- West Ham vs. Aston Villa (12:30 p.m. ET)
Sunday, August 18
- Brentford vs. Crystal Palace (9 a.m. ET)
- Chelsea vs. Man City (11:30 a.m. ET)
Monday, August 19
- Leicester vs. Tottenham (3 p.m. ET)