Chelsea will face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this Wednesday to secure their place in the fourth round of the EFL cup. The Blues suffered a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend, so they would be eager to put on a better showing versus the Mancunian giants in this away encounter.
Graham Potter could set his team up in a 4-3-3 formation and could opt to make a host of changes to his starting XI for this game. Armando Broja will lead the line against the opposition while Denis Zakaria gets to play from the start in the centre of the park.
4-3-3 Chelsea Predicted XI Vs Manchester City
Defence
Kepa Arizablaga remains sidelined due to a foot injury, so Eduoard Mendy will continue to feature between the sticks for the Blues after conceding a goal in his last appearance. Trevoh Chalobah will keep his place and partner up with Kalidou Koulibaly as he replaces Thiago Silva in the heart of Chelsea’s defence to try and keep things tidy at the back throughout the game.
Cesar Azpilicueta will fill in at right-back while Marc Cucurella continues to put a tireless shift on the other flank as the left-back. Both of them would have to get forward and join in on the attack while keeping their shape in defence.
Midfield
Conor Gallagher, Denis Zakaria and Mateo Kovacic will anchor the midfield for Chelsea as they look to get a stranglehold in the game at the centre of the park. The three of them will have to create decent opportunities in the final third and efficiently distribute possession.
Kai Havertz will be available for selection on the bench as he awaits his chance to make an impact in the second half if Potter decides to call upon his services.
Attack
Hakim Ziyech will operate in the right-wing while Christian Pulisic hopes to produce an influential display on the left.
Armando Broja will spearhead Chelsea’s attack on his own up top. He will have to figure out a way to cause a few problems for the Sky Blues’ defenders in midweek.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will have to be content with a spot on the bench but might come on to influence the game in the final quarter if the Blues are in need of a goal by then.
