Manchester City could extend their winning run in the Premier League to four games when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The champions moved back to first place in the table last weekend with a 6-1 win over Bournemouth and are getting back to their best after a brief dip in form at the end of September. City also beat Young Boys on Tuesday night to secure their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
As for Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have also improved in recent weeks and have lost just one of their last five Premier League encounters. Last time out, a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur ensured City remained top of the table, although Spurs did end the game with nine men.
City and Chelsea actually met four times last season, with Carabao Cup and FA Cup encounters accompanying the usual Premier League double header. Pep Guardiola’s men won all four of those games, including a 1-0 win at the Bridge in January. Saturday’s game will also see a rematch between the City boss and Pochettino, who have met on 22 previous occasions, the first of which came in 2009 when Guardiola was Barcelona manager.
But City approach Saturday’s game with a injury issues at the back given John Stones and Sergio Gomez have been ruled out, although Manuel Akanji has recovered from a minor knock. Here’s which starting XI we think he’ll pick…
5. LB: Josko Gvardiol
Has adapted quickly to life at City and has tended to play on the left of a back four.
6. CM: Rodri
Was given the night off on Tuesday and will protect the back four at Stamford Bridge.
7. CM: Bernardo Silva
Has flitted between midfield and wide right in recent weeks, but could play centrally against Chelsea.
8. AM: Julian Alvarez
Scored in three of the four matches against Chelsea last season.