Manchester City take on Chelsea today at the Etihad Stadium in a Premier League fixture that is verging on bring a must-win match for Pep Guardiola’s side. Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Bournemouth yesterday sees City enter today’s match seven points behind Mikel Arteta’s side at the top of the Premier League table. City does have a game in hand which will be played today. Pep Guardiola’s side will face a Chelsea side that looms as an unknown proposition. With Enzo Maresca having departed his post as Chelsea manager how Chelsea line up and play today is anyone’s guess.
Here is the latest City injury news and my predicted City starting eleven ahead of today’s crucial Premier League fixture.
Latest Manchester City injury news.
Manchester City have a host of players unavailable for today’s match due to injury and international duty. There are several more who are in doubt due to knocks they picked up in Manchester City’s nil-all draw with Sunderland. Mateo Kovacic, John Stones and Oscar Bobb are expected to be out of today’s match due to injury. Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri are unavailable due to their participation at the African Cup of Nations.
Savinho is an unlikely participant in today’s match due to the injury he sustained against Sunderland. Pep Guardiola said his injury didn’t look good so it is expected that he will miss today’s match. Nico is in doubt after sustaining a knock on the knee against Sunderland. He was taken off at halftime of that match and it seems unlikely that he will start today’s match against Chelsea.
Manchester City vs Chelsea: Latest City injury news and predicted City starting lineup
Nathan Ake also picked up a knock on the knee at the Stadium of Light. He did play through the pain to play the full 90 minutes against Sunderland so I expect Ake to be available for today’s match.
Predicted City starting eleven.
Gianluigi Donnarumma: The Italian keeper is a certain starter in goal today.
Matheus Nunes: Perhaps Abdukodir Khusanov will start at right-back to rest Nunes, but I can’t see that happening and I expect the consistent Matheus Nunes to start at right-back.
Ruben Dias: Dias looks to be a certain starter today and his leadership will be vital at the back.
Nathan Ake: Provided that Ake is fit, I can see him starting at centre-back once again today.
Josko Gvardiol: Nico O’Reilly needs a rest and Gvardiol was superb at left-back against Sunderland. I can see that particular change being made today.
Rodri: It would seem to be a risk to start Rodri today. But with Nico in doubt, and Rodri having performed so well against Sunderland I think we’ll see his return to the starting lineup today.
Bernardo Silva: I’d be surprised if Manchester City’s captain didn’t start today.
Tijjani Reijnders: I’d like to see Jeremy Doku start but I don’t think the Belgian international is ready to play from the start. If that is the case then Tijjani Reijnders should take Savinho’s place in the starting eleven today.
Phil Foden: I expect Foden to start and although he hasn’t been poor by any stretch lately, City do need a big performance from him against Chelsea.
Rayan Cherki: The French international will have a massive role to play today. I can see him tormenting the Chelsea defence if he fires.
Erling Haaland: Manchester City need a big performance from Erling Haaland today. He hasn’t been at his best in City’s past two matches and he needs to lift today.