Manchester City host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, and will want to get back to winning ways after a difficult loss to Liverpool before the international break. The defending Premier League champions are a point behind Chelsea in the league table and 9 points behind leaders, Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s men have not been consistent enough and need to get their act together to continue their title tilt.
Let’s take a look at how Manchester City could line up ahead of the game against Chelsea.
Team news
The big news ahead of this game is that goalkeeper Ederson is back in training and could be in line to return to the starting XI.
But, the likes of Leroy Sane, Aymeric Laporte and Oleksandr Zinchenko will all miss the game against Chelsea.
Bernardo Silva will miss the game due to an FA suspension.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY LINEUP vs CHELSEA (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Ederson should return to the starting lineup for Manchester City after missing the crucial game against Liverpool.
Defence
John Stones and Fernandinho started at the back for City against Liverpool, and it will be interesting to see if Guardiola recalls Nicolas Otamendi to the fold.
Benjamin Mendy could return to the Manchester City lineup, having played 75 minutes of France’s win against Albania.
Kyle Walker could retain his place at right-back to put the reins on in-form Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic.
Midfield
The return of Rodri offers some stability in City’s midfield area and he should start as the holding midfielder for City against Chelsea.
Kevin de Bruyne scored a brace for Belgium against Cyprus before being hauled off in the 68th minute, and played the full match against Russia. He should start in midfield alongside German ace Ilkay Gundogan, who also played both of his country’s international fixtures.
David Silva offers an alternative option.
Attack
Sergio Aguero scored for Argentina against Uruguay during the international break. He was not at his best against Liverpool last time around, but he has a good record against Chelsea, scoring 10 times in 13 appearances in the league.
He should start against the Blues, with Raheem Sterling starting on the left and Riyad Mahrez on the right in the Manchester City lineup.
