Premier League leaders Manchester City will have a test of their title credentials when they take on Chelsea in Saturday’s late kickoff from Stamford Bridge. Pep Guardiola’s side are currently atop of the table with 16 points, three ahead of the Blues, who are the reigning English champions.
Formation: 4-3-3
Lineup:
Ederson Moraes has had a relatively easy start to his Premier League campaign with the City defence doing their part. The Brazilian brings a sense of calm between the sticks, and he is a sure starter.
Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy have been the preferred picks for the right-back and left-back positions, but the latter is expected to be replaced after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligaments versus Crystal Palace. In his long-term absence, Danilo is likely to slot into the left side of the backline.
Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones have formed a bond in central defence, and they are unlikely to be changed this weekend with Vincent Kompany still short of match fitness. Eliaquim Mangala remains a valuable backup on the bench.
The midfield trio normally pick themselves with Fernandinho operating as the anchorman just behind David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne. Both Silva and De Bruyne have romped forward in certain stages of games with the latter proving a huge hit with his set-pieces this term.
Moving forward, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus will occupy the wide positions on either side of Sergio Aguero, who is just one goal short of matching Eric Brook’s all-time scoring record for City. Leroy Sane has excelled with his minimal playing time of late, but Guardiola will probably stick with Sterling from the off.
Sergio Aguero has apparently fractured his ribs in a car crash in Amsterdam, and this rules him out of the Blues game. In his absence, Leroy Sane is likely to get the nod on the left wing with Raheem Sterling on the right, whilst Gabriel Jesus could slot into the centre-forward position.
Prediction:
In the neutral point of view, the game could be an open entertainer with both teams likely to push for early dominance. Both sides have remained defensively sound of late, but we feel there will be goals…
Chelsea 2-2 Manchester City
