Manchester City vs Chelsea: Predicted Lineups For Both Sides
Dec 3, 2016 at 11:03 AM
In what is easily the game of the weekend, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea travel to the Stamford Bridge on Saturday. It is a clash that can effect the top of the points table and can potentially be a turning point for either teams. It is essentially a six pointer, with both teams separated by just a point, fighting for the title this season. Manchester City is fresh from a victory over Burnley at Turf Moor and will be hoping to go for the kill while Chelsea, who got an inspiring 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, is looking to consolidate their place at the top of the table. Both teams have close to fit squads and are expected to field their strongest side and here are the predicted lineups for both sides in this game.
Manchester City:
Team News:
Pep Guardiola does not have too many issues to worry about as Vincent Kompany is the only player set to miss this clash for sure. Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling are both expected to be fir for this game with the English winger expected to start on the night.
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Claudio Bravo:
The first choice shot stopper for Manchester City, Bravo, should start this game against Chelsea.
Bacary Sagna:
Preferred over Zabaleta in the league, Sagna, should start this game at the weekend.
John Stones:
Injury to Kompany will see the English defender start on the night against Chelsea.
Nicolas Otamendi:
Finding some form recently, Otamendi should start alongside Stones on the night.
Aleksandar Kolarov:
The first choice left-back for Guardiola, Kolarov, should start this game against Chelsea.
Fernandinho:
The midfield enforcer for Guardiola, Fernandinho, should start this game against Chelsea in the middle of the park.
Raheem Sterling:
Coming back from injury, the young winger, should keep his place in the side for this weekend.
David Silva:
The Spaniard is an important player for Guardiola this season and should start this game against Chelsea.
Ilkay Gundogan:
Cementing a place in the starting XI with some impressive performance, Gundogan, should start this game at the weekend.
Kevin de Bruyne:
The former Chelsea man, will get a chance to show his former employees what he is capable of in this game at the weekend.
Sergio Aguero:
The most prolific goal scorer for the Citizens, Aguero, should lead the attacking line for City in this game against Chelsea.
Chelsea:
Team News:
Antonio Conte revealed that the squad will miss the services of skipper John Terry who is nursing a Glute injury. John Obi Mikel remains the only other injury concern with Kurt Zoum and Van Ginkel ready to be back in action when match fit.
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Thibaut Courtois:
The first choice shot stopper for the Blues, Courtois, should keep his place in the side for this game.
Cesar Azpilicueta:
Arguably the most consistent defender for Chelsea, Azpilicueta, will start as a part of the back three on the night.
David Luiz:
The Brazilian has been solid at the heart of the back-3 for Chelsea and will start there against City.
Gary Cahill:
The experienced defender has also found some form after a slow start and will keep his place in the side for this weekend.
Victor Moses:
The scorer of the winner at the last weekend, Moses, is an impact player for Conte, and should start this game.
N Golo Kante:
The midfield powerhouse for the Blues, Kante, is a regular starter for Conte and will keep his place in the side.
Nemanja Matic:
The Serbian has kept it simple in the midfield for the Blues and he should start this game against Manchester City.
Marcos Alonso:
The Italian has made the wing-back spot on the left flank his this season and should start this game at the weekend.
Pedro:
A stunning goal in the last round will give the Spaniard plenty of confidence going into this game against Manchester City.
Eden Hazard:
The Belgian has been effective this season under Conte and should start this game at the weekend.
Diego Costa:
The top scorer in the domestic league this season, Costa, should keep his place in the side and lead the attack for Chelsea in this game against Manchester City.