The omens are good for Chelsea to pull off a big upset against Manchester City, and Gabby Agbonlahor agrees

Gabriel Agbonlahor has backed Chelsea to cause a huge upset and beat Manchester City in their opening game of the season.

City travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Chelsea's Enzo Maresca The era begins.

There are several storylines leading up to the clash, and none is more obvious than the history between the two respective coaches.

Maresca joined Pep GuardiolaThe coaching team of Manchester City as an assistant in 2022, but lasted a lonely season as he was appointed Leicester Citymanager in June 2023.

The Italian helped the Foxes secure an instant return to the Premier League by winning the Championship, only to be signed by Chelsea to replace Mauricio Pochettino.

Guardiola's record against his previous protégés does not bode well for Maresca.

He has won Mikel Artetanow in charge of Arsenal, eight times in 12 games and former Burnley manager Vincent Kompany twice.

However, Agbonlahor believes City go into the game at a serious disadvantage, presenting Maresca and Chelsea with a golden opportunity to spring an upset.

“It may be an unpopular opinion, but I think they beat Manchester City, I really do.” Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT Breakfast.

“I feel that City are losing (Julian) Alvarez, Oscar Bobb injured, Jack Grealish“Chelsea's hamstring problem, the Community Shield, I think this could be the game where Chelsea get the season off to a good start.”

What increases Chelsea's chances of success is the absence of City's midfield talisman, Rodri.

Guardiola confirmed in his press conference that Rodri has “no chance” of playing against Chelsea, having been granted extra time due to his involvement in Spain's win. Euro 2024 Campaign.

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“He didn't have a single training session with us,” Guardiola said.

“He's not ready.”

Much has been made of City's record without Rodri last season, with the club winning just one of the four games in which he did not feature.

City's recent away form without Rodri is similarly uninspiring, having lost their last four league games away from home without the 28-year-old.

In another welcome omen for Chelsea, City lost their only opening game of the season without Rodri when they were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham to begin the 2021/22 campaign.

There will also be intrigue over how Guardiola prepares his attacking unit against Chelsea.

As Agbonlahor noted, Julian Alvarez was sold to Atletico Madrid and they have not managed to sign a replacement.

Alvarez played the fourth-most minutes in the Premier League for City last season and leaves a huge void in City's attack, even if the Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland It remains the focal point at the top.

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Oscar Bobb, a product of City's academy, showed plenty of promise in pre-season and was expected to play a more prominent role following Alvarez's departure.

But the 21-year-old fractured his leg. on Wednesday and now faces a spell on the sidelines, with Guardiola claiming he could be out for “three or four months”.

Fortunately for Guardiola, he was able to welcome Grealish back into the team.

After being overlooked by former England manager Gareth Southgate for Euro 2024, Grealish featured in all of City's pre-season games but missed the Community Shield with a hamstring problem.

However, Guardiola did not rule out Grealish for the Chelsea game, saying that “everyone” except Bobb is “fine” to play.