Now or never for Manchester City. Arsenal itself has handed them a golden opportunity. The Citizens are back to controlling their own destiny in the Premier League title race. Who would have thought that just a few weeks ago? To make it count, though, they will have to beat Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Arsenal, who still have to visit the Etihad Stadium. Those three wins would allow Pep Guardiola’s side to draw level on points with the still-current leaders of the English top flight. As the Santpedor native put it: “We need a lot of points.” But first things first, and that means a trip to Stamford Bridge.
With two games in hand over Mikel Arteta’s side and sitting nine points back in the standings, Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea stand in the way of City’s charge. The Blues also need all three points as they try to climb the table and secure a place in next season’s Champions League. A Manchester City team on the rise, second with 61 points, and Chelsea in their worst spell of the season, sixth with 48 after five straight league games without a win, meet in west London.
For the matchup, which will be marked by Enzo Fernández’s absence and the first of what could be Bernardo Silva’s final games as a City player, Liam Rosenior will be able to call on Estevão and Trevoh Chalobah. Levi Colwill and Reece James have returned to training, but they are not yet fit enough to make the squad. For Manchester City, Pep Guardiola ruled out Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol, though he left the door open for John Stones and Mateo Kovačić to be included. With or without them, City have an opportunity they cannot afford to waste.
Possible lineups for Chelsea vs. Manchester City:
Chelsea XI: Robert Sánchez; Malo Gusto, Fofana, Tosin, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, João PedroManager: Liam Rosenior
Manchester City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, Aït-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly, Bernardo Silva; Semenyo, Haaland, DokuManager: Pep Guardiola
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
VAR: Paul Howard
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Kickoff: 11:30 a.m. ET
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