Man Cityvs.Chelsea

The Citizens suffered a disappointing 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Pep Guardiola revealed after the match that Ruben Dias asked to be taken off at half time as he "didn't feel good".

Dias, who recently recovered from a muscle injury, has subsequently emerged as a doubt and will be assessed ahead of kickoff along with Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku (both unspecified) and Oscar Bobb (fitness). Rodri is still recovering from a long-term knee injury, while Kyle Walker has seemingly played his final game for Man City as he is on the verge of completing a move to AC Milan.

The potential absence of both Dias and Ake could see Guardiola hand either Abdukodir Khusanov or Vitor Reis their Man City debut in defence after joining from Lens and Palmeiras respectively earlier this week. Manuel Akanji, John Stones an Josko Gvardiol are three other centre-back options, although the latter will likely continue at left-back as Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis battle for the right-back spot.

Goalkeeper Ederson did not cover himself in glory between the sticks against PSG and his starting place may com under threat from Stefan Ortega. Mateo Kovacic was another who did not enjoy his best performance in a City shirt in midweek, but the ex-Chelsea man is likely to continue in midfield alongside either Bernardo Silva or Ilkay Gundogan, with Kevin De Bruyne operating in an advanced central role.

However, if De Bruyne operates slightly deeper, with Phil Foden continuing on the right, Guardiola may be tempted to throw big-money signing Omar Marmoush into his starting lineup in the number 10 role behind striker Erling Haaland.

Jack Grealish will be pushing for a recall after coming off the bench to contribute to both of City's goals in midweek, but Guardiola may decide to stick with Savinho on the left flank, unless the Brazilian switches over to the right and the versatile Marmoush operates on the left.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland

Written by

Oliver Thomas