Chelsea face the unenviable task of visiting the Etihad on Saturday evening to face Manchester City, who have won their last 11 matches in all competitions.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have struggled for consistency all season long but did win their last game against Crystal Palace on Monday night, coming from behind and showing some of their attacking prowess.
This is will be a significantly tougher test, though, with Man City showing relentless form and sniffing the chance to end the weekend at the top of the Premier League table, while the visitors have a number of potential absentees.
Here’s the team Pochettino will likely choose when Chelsea face Man City.
GK: Djordje Petrovic – Robert Sanchez is expected to be fit enough to make the bench, but Petrovic should hold his place for the time being.
RB: Malo Gusto – Has come in for a fair bit of criticism recently but bagged an assist on Monday night and, with Reece James still sidelined by injury, Gusto will start at right-back if fit.
CB: Axel Disasi – One of the more reliable defenders Chelsea have, Disasi will need to step up and lead at the back in the likely absence of Thiago Silva.
CB: Levi Colwill – With Silva out and Benoit Badiashile also injured, Colwill should come in to play at centre-back alongside Disasi.
LB: Ben Chilwell – It’s taking a while for Chilwell to rediscover his level after returning to the starting XI. Things won’t get much easier with City star Phil Foden in incredible form.
CM: Moises Caicedo – Another player who is much better than what he has shown so far this season, Ecuador international Caicedo will have to be seriously switched on here.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – Has started to find some form recently. That will be put to the test against arguably the best midfield in the world.
RW: Cole Palmer – Has been deployed up front but looked much more at home when switched back out wide against Palace, registering a brace of assists. Scored the equaliser against City in the 4-4 draw earlier this season and would love to net against his old club again.
AM: Conor Gallagher – Scored twice against Palace and has earned his starting spot against City. Remains keen to show Chelsea why they can’t afford to sell him.
LW: Nicolas Jackson – This new role on the left takes some of the goalscoring burden away from Jackson, but he still needs to find the back of the net more often.
ST: Christopher Nkunku – Didn’t start against Palace but the exciting Nkunku could replace Noni Madueke in the XI at the Etihad.
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