Defending champions Manchester City will take on a free-spending Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge in their opening match of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The two teams are set to face off just 15 days on from their pre-season showdown in the United States. The Citizens ran out 4-2 victors that day thanks to a hat-trick from Erling Haaland, the Premier League Golden Boot winner from last season.
Last season, the Blues finished sixth in the Premier League, trailing City by a staggering 28 points, but still managed to secure a spot in a lower-tier European competition. Their summer has been tumultuous, with co-owner Todd Boehly's lavish spending leaving new manager Enzo Maresca with an overloaded squad.
After leading Leicester to promotion from the Championship, Maresca will now face a challenging initiation into the Premier League with a tough opener against City.
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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 in Australia
Here's how to watch this Premier League match in Australia:
- TV channel: —
- Live stream: Optus Sport
In Australia, this game is available exclusively on Optus Sport. This platform does not offer a free trial option; instead, an active subscription is required to watch the Premier League action live and on demand.
What time does Chelsea vs. Man City kick off in Australia?
This Premier League clash takes place at Stamford Bridge in London, UK, and kicks off on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 4:30 p.m. local time (BST).
Here's how that time translates to different Australian time zones:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | Mon, Aug. 19 | 1:30 a.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time | Mon, Aug. 19 | 1:00 a.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Sun, Aug. 18 | 11:30 p.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
We could be in for a thrilling, back-and-forth game on Sunday as both teams look to launch their new season with a decisive win.
Although defending champions Manchester City face a significant setback with vital midfield cog Rodri sidelined, they are still a powerful team likely to find plenty of opportunities in attack against a Chelsea side that has shown vulnerabilities in defense during their choppy pre-season campaign.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-3 Manchester City
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