After their brilliant comeback against Tottenham Hotspur last week where Chelsea handed them their first defeat in the league so far, the Blues visit Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City next, which is realistically their toughest away fixture for the first time after they visited Arsenal in September.
Chelsea are in sublime form this season at the moment, winning seven matches on the trot and conceding only once and are certainly the firm favourites to overthrow Pep Guardiola’s men at their own backyard. Conte faced the biggest challenge to his revamped setup against Tottenham when Eriksen put Spurs in front and they will expect similar threats from City players who have been rejuvenated by the return of the forgotten Yaya Toure.
There is only one point separating the two teams at the top and a win for City will take them above Chelsea.
Defence
Chelsea are currently enjoying an uninterrupted regularity in their squad setup with no first-team players injured and suspended. Considering the success, it has brought to the team we expect the formation to remain unchanged for Chelsea.
After a slow start to the season which was essentially the hangover of Chelsea’s previous season, Thibaut Courtois has returned to form and has conceded just 1 in his last 7 games. The 24-year-old will start under the bar.
Chelsea’s back-three has been impenetrable in recent weeks. Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, and Gary Cahill will keep their respective places in the three-man defence. Azpilicueta will start on the right, Luiz at the centre and Cahill on the left.
Midfield
Chelsea’s mega-money transfer for Leicester’s N’Golo Kanté has been a super hit and there is no way the French midfielder’s position is reconsidered. He has been a beast in midfield and should keep his place in the middle of the park. Nemanja Matic is an undisputed choice alongside Kanté. As has been the case with most Chelsea players this season, Matic too has flourished under Conte providing 7 assists in 13 appearances.
Victor Moses will keep his place at right wing-back while Marcus Alonso should hold on to his place on the left. After spending 3 seasons away on loan to various clubs, Moses has been a star this season, another instance of Conte’s genius. He has 3 goals and 1 assist already and he scored the winner against Tottenham.
Attack
Conte’s forwards seem to have found the fountain of triumph. All the three- Eden Hazard, Pedro and Diego Costa have 20 goals among themselves. Pedro scored a stunner against Spurs which reflects his confidence at the moment and Diego Costa remains the top scorer in the league with 10 goals.
