As Manchester City prepare to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, we have tried to call their predicted lineup.
Coming off the back of their 3-0 win against Young Boys in the Champions League, we expect Pep Guardiola to make as many as six changes to his side for the much-awaited fixture.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Chelsea
In goal, it comes as no surprise that Ederson Moraes is virtually guaranteed to start, according to our Manchester City predicted lineup against Chelsea.
The same goes for Kyle Walker, whose know-how and defensive solidity would come in handy up against Raheem Sterling, who is likely to start on the left flank for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday that while John Stones has been ruled out of the clash due to his recent knock, Manuel Akanji could be available for selection after having been injured to face Young Boys (via Manchester City’s official website) on Tuesday.
As a result, the Swiss defender could end up taking the Englishman’s place in the side.
Alongside Manuel Akanji is Ruben Dias in our Manchester City predicted lineup against Chelsea, who seems to have become a guaranteed starter in the biggest games for all practical purposes.
At left-back, one could foresee Pep Guardiola favouring Josko Gvardiol once again, as he has simply been a revelation since signing for the Sky Blues.
In defensive midfield, Rodri seems dead set to be the first name on the team sheet, with Mateo Kovacic looking likely not to start from the off against his former team.
Rico Lewis, who fared well as a No.8 against Young Boys could return to the bench, with the in-form Bernardo Silva seeming likely to displace him against Chelsea.
On the right flank, Phil Foden, who got on the scoresheet in style against Young Boys seems dead set to retain his place in the side.
Jack Grealish, who was also excellent against the Swiss giants could well lose his place in the XI to the electric Jeremy Doku, who was recently branded as ‘very clever’ by Chris Sutton.
Matheus Nunes also seems likely to be dropped against Chelsea, with Julian Alvarez returning to the side, as per our Manchester City predicted lineup.
It goes without saying that off the back of yet another stunning brace in Europe’s elite competition, Erling Haaland is likely to keep his place in the side.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Chelsea: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Doku, Alvarez, Haaland
