Manchester City will play hosts to Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium looking to earn a win on Sunday evening. The Citizens are in a rich vein of form in the Premier League and have managed to get themselves to the top of the league table having played a game more than Liverpool in the title race.
However, Maurizio Sarri’s men won’t be any push-overs as they will be desperate to get a result this weekend to help them in their quest to finish in the top 4. Both sides will set-up in a 4-3-3 formation which will make this encounter a fascinating tactical battle between two of the best managers in world football.
Team News
Manchester City
Vincent Kompany can be ruled out of this contest due to a muscle injury. Benjamin Mendy is also spending time on the treatment table as he recovers from his knee injury. Guardiola will continue to play Aymeric Laporte as a makeshift left-back to fill in for the injured, Mendy.
Chelsea
Both Gary Cahill and Callum Hudson-Odoi are significant doubts for this match with the former having a back problem while the latter suffering from a fever. Other than that, Maurizio Sarri should have a full squad to choose from as he prepares his side to consolidate their place in the top 4 of the Premier League with a win on Sunday.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City
Ederson; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Aymeric Laporte; Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan; Bernardo Silva, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling
Chelsea
Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz, Marcos Alonso; NGolo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic; Willian, Gonzalo Higuain, Eden Hazard
Key Men
Manchester City
Walker needs to have a good game while up against the dangerous, Hazard on the wide areas. A lot will also ride on the shoulders of Aguero and Sterling as they look to fire Man City to another home win at the Etihad.
Chelsea
Arrizabalaga is expected to be a busy man on Sunday as he aims to restrict the Citizens attackers from scoring. The performance of Kante, Jorginho and Kovacic will also be quite significant in determing the outcome of the contest as Chelsea need to win the 50-50 duels in midfield if they are to stand a chance of claiming a result against Guardiola’s men this weekend.
Odds
Manchester City win – 1/2
Draw – 18/5
Chelsea win – 13/2
