Man City predicted lineup vs Chelsea - Premier League
- City face Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday after win in the Champions League
- Pep Guardiola is without John Stones and likely Manuel Akanji
- Wingers Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku battling for the same spot
By Euan Burns
Manchester City travel to take on Chelsea on Sunday knowing a victory will consolidate their spot at the top of the Premier League during the November international break.
After demolishing Bournemouth 6-1 last weekend and booking their place in the Champions League round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Young Boys, Man City are in a confident mood as they continue their title defences on multiple fronts.
Chelsea beat Tottenham 4-1 on Monday but it was a chaotic Premier League game played against nine players that the Blues may not take much confidence from. It will take a really impressive performance from Mauricio Pochettino's side to get all three points here against the champions.
Here's the team manager Pep Guardiola may choose to secure yet another win for City over Chelsea.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Chelsea (3-2-4-1)
GK: Ederson - You never know when he might do something a bit weird but a calm Ederson is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and a player Guardiola does not like to be without.
CB: Kyle Walker - It is very impressive how Walker responded to suggestions he can't offer what is needed anymore. He is likely to take his place on the right side of this back three if Guardiola chooses this formation.
CB: Ruben Dias - He may have played the whole game against Young Boys but two other centre-backs are out injured and Dias is always in the team for these big games.
CB: Nathan Ake - This would likely be Manuel Akanji's spot had he not suffered that injury on Tuesday night. Josko Gvardiol could also play but Ake may be rewarded for his late goal against Bournemouth.
DM: Matheus Nunes - With John Stones out for a while, the use of this formation favours Nunes who can take up the second deeper role alongside Rodri.
DM: Rodri - City suffered in Rodri's suspension-enforced absence recently and will not want to be without the Spaniard again any time soon. He will run the midfield against Chelsea on Sunday.
RM: Bernardo Silva - For a player who constantly seems on the precipice of leaving Man City, Silva is having a great season and lessening the blow of Kevin De Bruyne not being available.
CM: Mateo Kovacic - The Croatian hasn't set the world alight since joining Man City but will likely start here in a great opportunity to make a statement against his old club.
CM: Julian Alvarez - Enjoying his new deeper role, Alvarez is giving Pep what he wants when he knows full well that he can't oust Haaland from the striker role.
LM: Jack Grealish - Given Grealish was chosen on the left against Manchester United ahead of Jeremy Doku, the same could happen here.
ST: Erling Haaland - He added two more goals to his Champions League in midweek tally which will have made him very happy, and he will likely be in the thick of the action.
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