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2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 19
Chelsea v Manchester City
Stamford Bridge
London, England
Thursday, 5 January 2023
Kick-off is at 21h00
Graham Potter will face the biggest test of his Chelsea tenure yet when Premier League title holders Manchester City visit Stamford Bridge on Thursday, January 5.
Potter made an impressive start to his Blues career after replacing Thomas Tuchel at the helm on September 8, winning his first three matches and going unbeaten in his opening five games.
A mini slump followed, although the west Londoners halted a three-match losing streak with a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth on December 27 to close out 2022 on a high.
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Potter had previously overseen a 1-1 draw with Manchester United before going down 1-0 to league leaders Arsenal but the Citizens will pose an entirely different challenge.
He will be without Reece James, however, after the right-back lasted just 53 minutes on his return from a knee injury which ruled him out of the 2022 World Cup.
Potter suggested that James' forced withdrawal early in the second half impacted the team's performance for the remainder of the contest against the Cherries.
"You could see the quality that Reece brings down that right side, in the first half especially, and then to see him go off I think probably affects the stadium and affects the team and affects everything," he said.
"Not that it's an excuse but we're human beings and he's someone that we care a lot about and there's going to be a little bit of concern and worry.
"That's quite natural, especially with the results that we've had. You want to try and hold on to your win and that affected our performance in the second half."
City did the league double over the Blues last season, winning 1-0 both home and away before also triumphing 2-0 in the EFL Cup third round.
Pep Guardiola's side will be targeting a major improvement during the second half of the campaign after suffering two defeats in their opening 14 games and dropping 10 points in the process.
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Erling Haaland has made a dream start to life in England, scoring 18 goals in just 13 top-flight appearances for City before a foot injury sustained against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League sidelined him for a short spell.
Haaland scored on his return to competitive action in the 3-2 EFL Cup fourth-round win over Liverpool on December 22 and Guardiola allayed fears about the striker's recovery.
"I think he will be ready. Day by day he's getting better. As much, he can train, he will get his condition," the Spaniard said.
"The injury is completely different to last season. It was a knock in his feet in Dortmund when we played Champions League. The doctor says his damage his ligament in his feet is so painful, it's not easy to recover.
"That's why he struggled. But muscular issues and everything is perfect and now he is much, much, much better. Now it's a question of time. Of course, we need him. And yes, he was good (against Liverpool)."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Chelsea - 2
Man City - 3
Draws - 0
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