20th May, 2023 @ 01:28 pm

With their current Premier League (PL) winning run of 11 games poised to pay off for this very unique Manchester City team, history is about to be made. Should they win this game 12 times in a row, they will be crowned English champions for an unprecedented third straight season. They will meet Manchester United in the FA Cup final in what may be quest number two in the pursuit of another of their neighbor's lone exploits, the elusive treble, which has only been accomplished by their cross-town rivals.

The UEFA Champions League final, the trophy that may cement Pep Guardiola's legacy as one of football's greatest coaches, was secured in midweek when Man City put on a masterclass against Europe's most successful team, Real Madrid, defeating them 4-0. And what better opponent to begin their pursuit of a treble against than Chelsea, the team that denied City of European success in 2021 and one they have defeated in their last five head-to-head matches without conceding?

The awful cherry on top of Chelsea's own historic season, which will likely see them finish in the bottom-half of the standings for the first time since 1996, would be if they lost six straight games without scoring against any opponent. However, they have recently displayed signs of life by going undefeated (W1, D1) for two games after dropping six straight.

Frank Lampard's team may have a difficult afternoon at the Etihad since in their last 14 Premier League games against teams that started the day before them, they have gone winless (D4, L10). And with the Blues having only won two of their previous 15 away games (D3, L10), it might not be a good day for them.

Key matchup: Raheem Sterling of Chelsea has only ever lost four of the 132 club matches he's scored in (W118, D10), with much of that damage being done during his time with City. Meanwhile, City's Kevin De Bruyne has scored five more Premier League goals against them than any other ex-Chelsea player with five goals.

Hot fact: In the past 13 seasons, Manchester City has only lost one of their final home Premier League games (W11, D1).