Just like the previous season, Man City are picking up pace at the perfect time in the Premier League title race and after 23 matches, they are just two points behind league leaders Liverpool, that too with a game in hand.
Manchester City are on a six-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League but next up, they have a tricky tie against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
The last time these two sides met they played out a thrilling 4-4 draw but since then City have massively pulled up their socks and will be favourites to win on Saturday. Also, Guardiola’s boys haven’t lost to Chelsea in their last 7 meetings across all competitions. Liverpool will face Brentford in a Saturday afternoon fixture and if they stumble in that tie then Man City will have the chance to go to the top of the table.
Manchester City’s team news and injuries:
Josko Gvardiol is ruled out with an ankle injury and is not going to return before next month. However, this will allow Nathan Ake to come into the side.
Against Everton, last weekend, Pep used a three-man back line but in midweek, the Man City manager reverted to a 4-1-4-1 system and we think he is going to stick with the same system on Saturday.
This means Ake will play on the right-hand side with John Stones and Ruben Dias in central defence.
Mateo Kovacic is also back in training but we don’t think the formation will allow him to get a starting role. Thankfully, De Bruyne’s return has come at the perfect time and he’s made an instant impact.
Jack Grealish is going to miss out after picking up a knock during City’s win against FC Copenhagen. The details of the injury were not revealed by the Man City manager but whatever it is, the winger is likely to be out for some time.
“Jack I think will not be ready,” said Guardiola in his pre-match press conference.
“I don’t know [his condition]. I need to speak with the doctors. I only know he is not able to play tomorrow.”
Bernardo Silva also picked up a knock in that UCL win but his injury is not serious and he will go through a late fitness test to see if he’s available or not.
Silva and Grealish’s absence won’t be of any concern for the Man City manager because Doku and Phil Foden will start on either wing against Chelsea.
Erling Haaland scored a brace against Everton last weekend but since his return from injury, those are the only two goals he’s scored. He’s been out for two months so obviously he will take time to get up to pace but against a patched-up Chelsea defence, the Norwegian can reap havoc.
Man City predicted line up vs Chelsea:
Predicted Starting XI(4-1-4-1): Ederson; Ruben Dias, Stones, Walker, Ake; Rodri; Foden/Silva, Alvarez, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland.
