Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks set to make up to four changes to his line-up as Chelsea visit the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
The weekend’s Premier League fixtures begin with Manchester City hosting Chelsea in a battle for the division’s summit – we preview Manchester City’s predicted line-up.
Ahead of the encounter, Manchester City sit in third position, just one point behind first-placed Chelsea, and manager Pep Guardiola has the encouragement of several key players available for selection.
Captain Vincent Kompany’s injury curse has struck again, with the defender out for another period, but Fabian Delph returns to the squad after injury.
Guardiola is expected to make changes from last weekend’s 2-1 victory at Burnley, with City’s midfield the most likely source of alteration.
The trio of David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne may well see starting berths afforded to them – meaning that the recent resurgence of Yaya Toure is likely to be curtailed by a place on the bench.
In defence, goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is set to play behind a back four, consisting of the central defensive partnership between Nicolas Otamendi and the recall of John Stones.
It is anticipated that the £47.5 million summer signing from Everton will return to the starting XI in place of Gael Clichy – with Aleksandar Kolorov deployed in his more natural left back slot.
On the opposite side, the defence is likely to be completed by right back Bacary Sagna.
In addition to Toure and Clichy, Spanish forward Nolito and Brazilian midfielder Fernando are the other two starters from last week who are set to miss out against Chelsea.
One of Guardiola’s stand out performers so far this season, Fernandinho, is expected to fill the deep lying midfield role, enabling De Bruyne and Gundogan to create chances for an attacking front of Silva, Raheem Sterling, and Sergio Aguero.
With 16 goals in 18 games, Aguero is in fine form and will be hoping to help City retain their pleasing home record in this fixture – where Chelsea have lost six from the past eight away trips to the Etihad.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is fully expected to name another unchanged XI, as the Italian has facilitated a level of consistency in team selection and recent results. Chelsea have won their last seven Premier League games and only conceded once in the same period.
Here are the predicted line-ups for Manchester City and Chelsea in full:
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