Man Cityvs.Chelsea

Romeo Lavia (muscle), Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (thigh) and Omari Kellyman (hamstring) all remain sidelined with injuries, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is still serving a provisional doping ban.

Levi Colwill (unspecified) and Enzo Fernandez (muscle) both missed Chelsea's 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday due to minor injuries and they will be assessed ahead of kickoff this weekend.

Although Robert Sanchez has been directly responsible for making four errors leading to goals this season, including his latest against Wolves last time out, Enzo Maresca has defended his first-choice goalkeeper and may stick with the Spaniard once again on Saturday. Filip Jorgensen is waiting in the wings if needed, though.

It remains to be seen whether Reece James will be fit to start back-to-back Premier League games having only just returned from injury, so Malo Gusto could be recalled at right-back, while Tosin Adarabioyo - who scored against Wolves - and Trevoh Chalobah could continue their partnership at centre-back if Colwill is not deemed fit to start. Marc Cucurella was also on target on Monday and is expected to continue at left-back.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was handed his first Premier League start against Wolves since joining Chelsea last summer and he will likely retain his place in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo if Fernandez is not fit to feature.

Maresca was critical of Noni Madueke's performance against Wolves, despite scoring, and the winger could therefore be at risk of dropping out of the first XI, with ex-Man City and Jadon Sancho in contention to deputise on either flank with Pedro Neto. Another former Citizens star, Cole Palmer, is expected to continue in a central role in behind striker Nicolas Jackson.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Written by

Oliver Thomas