Man City vs Chelsea: Chelsea are looking to end their nightmare season with a place at the top half of the table. However, that seems unlikely now with their last three matches of the season lined up against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United. They had a bloating squad of 31 talented players at the turn of the year. However, 10 players of their entire squad are now suffering from injuries. Follow Premier League LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Chelsea are now sitting in the 11th position in the Premier League table with 8 points behind the 10th-placed Fulham having played one less game than them. With three matches left to play against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United, they have very little hope of ending the season in the top half of the table. If they end their season anywhere below the 10th position in the league table, it will be for the first time since season 1995-96.
Chelsea are coming back from a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest who are facing relegation. Both goals were scored by former Manchester City player Raheem Sterling within a span of 7 minutes.
Sterling’s brace had no effect as another brace from Nottingham’s Taiwo Awoniyi cancelled them out. However, the brace will help him reserve a position in the forward line beside Kai Havertz. However, Havertz will get competition from the abundance of Chelsea’s attacking options.
Mykhaylo Mudryk, Joao Felix, Hakim Ziyech, and Noni Madueke will be competing with Havertz for a spot beside Sterling in the front line. Chelsea’s list of injured players includes Armando Broja who’s out because of a knee injury.
N’Golo Kante is suffering from a groin issue, Mason Mount is out due to a pelvic problem, Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, and Kalidou Koulibaly all are suffering from hamstring issues, while Mateo Kovacic, Marcus Bettinelli, and Benoit Badiashile are out due to unspecified injuries.
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Hence, it’s clear that Chelsea will miss some of their key players in this match against Manchester City. They will also have very few odds of winning the match against a Man City side that will be extremely determined to win.
Mainly because this win against Chelsea will see Man City grab the Premier League title with 2 matches left to play. Additionally, Chelsea have lost six out of their last seven clashes against Manchester City.
However, it was Frank Lampard’s Everton that drew 1-1 against this destructive Man City on New Year’s Eve. Coach Frank Lampard will have to line up the starting XI perfectly if they are to salvage any points from this match. He will have to decide whether Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy will be guarding their goalpost. He could start Wesley Fofana alongside Trevoh Chalobah and Thiago Silva. While Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Fernandez, Gallagher, and Hall will man the midfield.
Chelsea Predicted XI: Kepa; W. Fofana, Silva, Badiashile; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Fernandez, Gallagher, Hall; Sterling, Havertz
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