Manchester City clash heads with 2nd placed Chelsea in this weekend’s Premier League clash at the Etihad stadium. Manchester City sit comfortably at the top of the table 10 points clear of their opposition on Saturday with an opportunity to extend their lead even more. The Citizens are on an 11 game-winning run in the league and is believed to be running away with the title with their challengers falling apart. Pep Guardiola’s men will be aiming to further increase their lead at the top of the table when they meet Chelsea on Saturday in front of their home supporters.
Predicted 4-3-3 Manchester City Lineup Vs Chelsea
Defence
Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson will come in place of Zack Steffen between the sticks. Ederson will be looking to build on his 12 cleansheets so far in the race to win the golden glove at the end of the season.
Aymeric Laporte is expected to return to the starting XI in place of Nathan Ake and start alongside Ruben Dias at the heart of the defence. The Manchester City defence has been rock solid throughout the season conceding only 13 goals in 21 games and will be again looking to build on that and keep the Chelsea attackers at bay on Saturday. Nathan Ake will drop to the bench alongside John Stones as they will be options for Pep Guardiola as cover in the defensive department.
Both Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo will start at full-backs for the Citizens hoping to continue their great form in the league this season. Cancelo has been involved in 5 goals for City this season and has been a major creative outlet for his side from that full-back position. Oleksandr Zinchenko, who returned from Covid-19, will be on the bench.
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Midfield
A midfield 3 of Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne is expected to start in the middle of the park for City on Saturday. Manchester City has looked dominating in the centre of the pitch with Rodri controlling the tempo of the game alongside Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne gets the freedom of creating freely from the middle of the park and arriving late into the box to finish off chances. Fernandinho will be on the bench providing cover for the defensive midfield options for Guardiola.
Attack
Riyad Mahrez is off for international duty and is a confirmed miss for the game against Chelsea. Phil Foden is expected to come back into the starting lineup after missing a couple of games due to Covid-19. Raheem Sterling is also expected to return to the lineup replacing Gabriel Jesus, as the Englishman has 4 goals in his last 6 games for City. Bernardo Silva will continue playing the false nine role under Guardiola and will be a key to linking City’s attack to their midfield for transition plays.
Both Gabriel Jesus and Jack Grealish will be on the bench and be the options for Pep Guardiola to bring on in the later stages of the game.
