Chelsea will try to restore their lost ground when they will host Manchester City. Their unprecedented loss at the hands of Crystal Palace has suddenly given a ray of hope to the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
Tottenham’s win against Burnley saw them moving into seven points of the League leaders. Liverpool are also ten points adrift of the Blues.
The Blues displayed one of the fiercest attacking displays in recent times against the Eagles but couldn’t get past an adamant Palace defence. Chelsea still lead the race to lift the Premier League title at the end of the season but a second consecutive loss in successive matches could hand an advantage to the fellow title contenders.
It will be an evenly contested affair as a win for either team gives them an edge over their rival. Manchester City will try to avenge their 3-1 defeat earlier this season and will try to give their title challenge a boost by getting the better of Chelsea in the next match.
Predicted 3-1-4-2 Chelsea Lineup Against Manchester City
Defence
Manchester City have the most fearsome attack amongst the Premier League teams and Thibaut Courtois needs to be very alert as a moment could change the entire prospect of the game.
Antonio Conte has so far employed a three man defence and would like to carry on with it. Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz would form the Blues defence to thwart any attacks that come towards them.
Midfield
Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante will be at their midfield duties as usual. Matic will be in the holding midfield role and will have to break up the opponent’s creative play. Kante has been a tireless player for his team and his box to box display would be a crucial asset in these type of matches.
Victor Moses is unexpected to get fit which will lead the way for Pedro once again in the starting lineup. The Spaniard will take the right wing back place in a hope to make some contribution to the Chelsea attack.
Marcos Alonso has been consistent on the left flank and will try to create pressure on the City defence.
Attack
Eden Hazard has played a bit more centrally in the last few matches to get involved in the attack more and Conte will place him just behind Diego Costa to get on the ball as much as possible.
Cesc Fabregas will partner Hazard in the attacking midfield role.
Diego Costa will be the only striker upfront.
