In their most recent match, Graham Potter’s squad played Nottingham Forest to a 1-1 draw and settled for the point, while Everton’s defense kept the visitors scoreless despite allowing two goals.
Team News
Chelsea
- The medical staff at Chelsea continue to put in extra hours caring for long-term absentees N’Golo Kante and Armando Broja. Since then, Reece James has joined the group of long-term injured players with a new knee issue that might keep him out of action for up to a month.
- Wesley Fofana does not have a good chance of making the team here either. However, there is reason to be optimistic about Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ben Chilwell. Loftus-Cheek has now returned to training after recovering from a calf injury, and Chilwell may have to wait until the trip to Fulham the following week. Edouard Mendy, however, has not returned due to the shoulder injury he sustained.
- Mateo Kovacic ought to be recalled to the midfield, where he might very well take the place of Jorginho rather than the developing Denis Zakaria. On the other hand, Christian Pulisic need not worry about losing his position on the left wing because he is likely to keep it.
Manchester City
- In contrast, the Etihad treatment room only has two players left: Aymeric Laporte (back) and Ruben Dias (hamstring). However, the former will be evaluated, and he may have a chance to play some minutes in this match.
- Julian Alvarez, the Argentine World Cup hero, made his return against Everton off the bench. He should be one of several players in contention for recalls to the first XI alongside Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden, and Ilkay Gundogan, as Guardiola waited until the 87th minute of Saturday’s match to make any substitutions.
- Only a few days after stating that Kalvin Phillips returned from the World Cup overweight, Pep Guardiola performed a sensational U-turn and hailed the England midfielder’s physique as he returned to the Etihad bench. However, his “perfect body,” as Guardiola referred to it, should not be enough to earn him a starting position in the match.
Possible Lineup
Chelsea; Kepa, Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly, and Cucurella; Kovacic and Zakaria; Sterling, Mount, Pulisic; a Aubameyang.
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker; Stones; Akanji; Cancelo; Gundogan; Rodri; De Bruyne; Silva; Haaland; Foden
Prediction Analysis
Although neither Potter nor Guardiola will put too much stock in City’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the EFL Cup back in November, it would not be a total surprise to see an identical scoreline in the top left corner of the field this week.
After having a difficult time finding attacking inspiration at the City Ground, Chelsea must now prepare for the unenviable task of facing a backline coached by Pep Guardiola. The rejuvenated legs of Walker and Cancelo may both be brought back into the starting lineup, and the retooled champions should get back to winning ways in order to remind Arsenal of their continued presence.
Our forecast is for Manchester City to win 2-0 over Chelsea.