Manchester City vs. Chelsea - Preview,prediction, team news, lineups, missing players
Manchester City will host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, knowing that a victory would secure them the Premier League title for the third consecutive season. Chelsea, on the other hand, are seeking redemption after suffering three defeats to City this season, including a 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge in January.
Preview:
This match holds significant historical importance for Manchester City, as they aim to achieve their own treble after witnessing their rivals Manchester United accomplish the feat 24 years ago. Pep Guardiola has guided City to the Champions League final with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the second leg of the semi-finals. They are set to face Inter Milan in the final on June 10, further cementing their place in football history.
Team News:
Manchester City's only injury concern is former Chelsea defender Nathan Ake, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and remains doubtful for Sunday's game. Guardiola is expected to make some changes to the starting lineup, with Aymeric Laporte potentially replacing either Manuel Akanji or Kyle Walker in defense. Riyad Mahrez, who has scored four goals in his last three encounters with Chelsea, will be vying for a starting position on the right flank alongside Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez. Captain Ilkay Gundogan and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne are expected to start in advanced roles behind the Premier League's top scorer, Erling Braut Haaland.
Chelsea, on the other hand, has a lengthy list of absentees. Benoit Badiashile, who picked up a groin injury in training, joins Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, and Armando Broja on the sidelines. Kalidou Koulibaly and Mateo Kovacic are doubtful and will undergo assessments before the match. Manager Frank Lampard may decide to stick with Edouard Mendy in goal or recall Kepa Arrizabalaga, while Wesley Fofana is expected to replace the injured Badiashile. The Chelsea lineup could also feature Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah in a back three formation. Sterling, who scored twice in the previous match, is likely to retain his place alongside Kai Havertz, Joao Felix, Noni Madueke, Mykhaylo Mudryk, and Hakim Ziyech in the attacking third.
Prediction:
Considering Manchester City's impressive form and their home advantage, a prediction of a 3-0 victory for City over Chelsea seems plausible. However, football is unpredictable, and the result could differ based on the teams' performances on the day.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:?Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte; Stones, Rodri; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland
Chelsea possible starting lineup:?Kepa; Chalobah, Silva, W. Fofana; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Fernandez, Gallagher, Hall; Sterling, Havertz
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