Chelsea will take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday hoping to book their place in the 4th round of the FA Cup. The visitors come into the match on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Sky Blues in their last Premier League encounter, so they will be hoping to produce a better result this time.
Graham Potter will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation allowing Kai Havertz to lead the line against the opposition. However, the Blues have been handed fresh injury concerns that add on to the injury crisis at Stamford Bridge as he remains without as many as ten players for this away encounter.
4-3-3 Chelsea Predicted XI Vs Manchester City
Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue to operate in between the sticks for the Blues as he looks to produce a strong performance. Potter will allow Kalidou Koulibaly to form the centre-half partnership with Trevor Chalobah at the heart of the blues’ backline, as they try to keep things solid on the defensive end of the field throughout the game.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Marc Cucurella will continue at the right and left back positions, respectively, looking to get forward to stretch the opposition in attack and keeping their shape defensively.
Thiago Silva will be available for selection on the bench as he provides cover for the defensive positions.
Midfield
Dennis Zakaria, Jorginho and Carney Chukwuemeka will anchor the midfield for the Blues as they look to dominate possession at the centre of the park and engineer some decent chances in the final third.
Mason Mount remains doubtful after picking up a knock in the last time out, however, Mateo Kovacic will be available at the bench and might come on in the second half to impact the game if Potter calls upon his services.
Attack
Hakim Ziyech will continue in the final third to start at the right-wing while Pierre Emerick Aubemyang should start at the opposite flank despite a poor showing in his last outing. Both of them will take the responsibility for creating some inviting chances for Chelsea in front of the goal.
Kai Havertz will continue to spearhead the West London club’s attack up top. He will have to find a way to cause a few headaches for the City centre-backs this Sunday.
As mentioned earlier, Potter has been handed with fresh injury concersn as Raheem Sterling takes to the treatment room alongwith Christian Pulisic who are doubtful to recover in time for the weekend’s encounter.
