Man City predicted lineup vs Chelsea - Premier League
- Man City host Chelsea after midweek Champions League win at Copenhagen
- Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva both suffered injuries and are expected to miss out
- Key stars Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland likely to start
By Euan Burns
Manchester City continue their relentless charge towards the top of the Premier League table on Saturday when they host a stuttering Chelsea side at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola's side have hit their flow state, winning 11 straight games in all competitions and last suffering defeat on 6 December to Aston Villa. The prospect of a trip to the Etihad is a scary one for most teams right now, and that's certainly the case for Chelsea.
Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland are fit again and back among the goals, though there remain some major fitness doubts heading into Saturday's encounter.
Here's the starting lineup Guardiola will likely pick for Man City vs Chelsea.
Man City predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-1-4-1)
GK: Ederson - Ederson's rhythm in goal for Man City is rarely disturbed and he'll get the chance to atone for that ghastly error against Copenhagen here.
RB: Kyle Walker - Has been in and out of the team recently but Walker will almost certainly start at right-back against Chelsea and will expect to get some joy down the right.
CB: Ruben Dias - His defensive teammates may change regularly, but Dias remains a player Guardiola picks regularly and relies on.
CB: Nathan Ake - Produced a wonderful piece of defending in midweek and is a player Guardiola trusts a lot. He will battle John Stones for this position.
LB: Manuel Akanji - With Josko Gvardiol out injured, Akanji is set to continue deputising at left-back for City.
DM: Rodri - The indefatigable Rodri played the whole game against Copenhagen and seems to only ever get rests if he's suspended. Was crucial in last year's run-in and will be again this season.
RM: Phil Foden - His goal capped off Man City's successful evening in Denmark. With eight goals and four assists in his last ten games, Foden is expected to continue his incredible form on the right flank here.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne - Back starting and among the goals too, De Bruyne showcased what City have been missing on Tuesday night. Expect a big impact against his former club on Saturday.
CM: Julian Alvarez - Didn't start against Copenhagen but with both Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva expected to miss out through injury, Alvarez - who has 15 goals in all competitions this term - should start here.
LM: Jeremy Doku - Another who should benefit from injuries to others, Doku has shown his devastating potential on the wing since arriving from Rennes.
ST: Erling Haaland - It may have angered Haaland to have played 90 minutes of Champions League football in midweek without scoring. Chelsea could well be on the receiving end of that anger.
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