Chelsea is set to face league toppers and potential title holders Manchester City upcoming Saturday. While Chelsea would be looking for a win, City would not want their winning streak to break. Both the teams know their A-player and will bank upon them, heavily.
Maurizio Sarri had made a fantastic start to his managerial career at West London but has never beaten Pep Guardiola. Maurizio Sarri’s XI will need to be at its very best to get anything out of it.
Chelsea Predicted Lineup (4-3-3) vs Manchester City
GOALKEEPER: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Arrizabalaga is quite obvious choice between the woodworks for the Chelsea outfit. The Spainsh keeper has done well in his debut season and the match against Manchester City will be another huge opportunity for Kepa Arrizabalaga to prove his potential.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has kept seven clean sheets in 15 appearances letting 13 past him.
DEFENDERS: Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz, Marcos Alonso
Sarri will likely go deploying Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz as center-backs while Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta should control the flanks.
Rudiger has been impressive for the Blues starting all Chelsea’s league games this season while Luiz has started to regain the form under Sarri. Andreas Christensen replaced David Luiz in mid-week suggesting Luiz who haven’t traveled with the squad will start alongside Rudiger.
READ: Maurizio Sarri vs Pep Guardiola | Premeir League 2018/19
While facing a team who is best at guiding the ball past defence, both center-backs will need to be completely ready for every second of the 90 minutes.
The full-backs have to defend well against the pacy Manchester City attack and also will have to go upfront to provide crosses to the attackers.
MIDFIELDERS: Jorginho, N’golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic
Jorginho is expected to play as the base of three men midfield with N’Golo Kante settling into a more further role than he usually plays.
After impressing against Wolves, Ruben Loftus-Cheek could keep his spot in the side but he has more or less locked himself into the backup role. Mateo Kovacic is expected to start against City with Ross Barkley out with a knee problem.
Forwards: Eden Hazard, Olivier Giroud, Pedro
The Frenchman Oliveir Giroud might start ahead of Alvaro Morata who is still struggling in England. And its better to start with Giroud as the Frenchman is better in linking up the play.
Willan might make way for Pedro into the starting XI who has five Premier League goals to his name already this season. He was rested midweek and should be ready to go against his former manager.
READ: Eden Hazard vs Raheem Sterling | Premier League 2018/19
Eden Hazard’s form is a huge concern. The Belgian International has gone 11 games without a goal and has looked pretty ordinary in his last few outings for Maurizio Sarri. But the game against City is no less than a right moment to shine.
