Manchester City will travel to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea on Thursday evening, hoping to return back to winning ways in the Premier League.
The Sky Blues are in second place in the table at the moment but have stuttered in recent weeks. They fell eight points behind league leaders Arsenal after being held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, although Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.
Thus, Guardiola and co. have a point to prove against Chelsea, who head into this mouthwatering fixture on the back of a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Manchester City Team News
Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias are both unlikely to feature for Man City against Chelsea with hamstring and back problems, respectively. Argentinian World Cup hero Julian Alvarez came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Everton and should be pushing for a start at Chelsea.
Predicted Man City Lineup vs Chelsea (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Ederson will continue to operate in between the sticks for Man City as he looks to keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge after conceding one in his last match.
Defence
As Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte are doubts for the clash, John Stones is expected to again line up alongside Manuel Akanji in central defence. Pep Guardiola could ring changes to his full-back department, with Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake dropping out for Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo in the Man City lineup.
Guardiola will expect the City backline to be focused throughout the game in order to keep the hosts at bay in midweek. Nathan Ake and Sergio Gomez will be available for selection on the bench as they provide cover for the defensive positions.
Midfield
Kevin de Bruyne, Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan should form the midfield of the Man City lineup. Rodri should reprise his No.6 role and look to take quick control of the game. Operating as the two 8s, Gundogan and De Bruyne’s job should be to recycle possession in the centre of the pitch and carve out openings in the final third for the forwards.
Kalvin Phillips will be hoping to impress in the second half if Guardiola calls upon his services.
Attack
Phil Foden is in contention for a recall to the Man City lineup after coming off the bench in their last two Premier League games. He is likely to start on the left, with Bernardo Silva providing creativity and guile from the right flank.
There is no looking past Erling Haaland, who scored his 21st league goal of the season in the 1-1 draw with Everton, when leading the City attack. He will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a shaky Chelsea backline.
Guardiola and City have been boosted by the return of Julian Alvarez, who came off the bench against Everton last weekend.