Chelsea travels to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to take on a Manchester City team that is on a roll, presenting a formidable challenge.
The Blues had to overcome a 1-0 deficit to defeat the struggling Crystal Palace on Monday night, and they will need to significantly improve if they hope to win in Manchester.
Man City has been playing destructively lately, winning all 11 of their games and adding three more points to their total. They have swept aside all opponents.
TEAM NEWS:
Due to a midweek muscle injury, Jack Grealish is ruled out of this match, and Bernardo Silva is seriously doubtful following a significant ankle knock.
Mateo Kovacic may return to the mix following his recovery from an undisclosed ailment, but Josko Gvardiol is still out due to an ankle ligament injury.
Chelsea’s injury list is long and includes Marc Cucurella, Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile, Lesley Ugochukwu, Wesley Fofana, and Reece James.
Malo Gusto should be fit for Saturday even though he left the game late at Selhurst Park, but Thiago Silva left the game against Palace with a groin injury and will need to be evaluated.
THE STATS:
This season, City has played 15 games at the Etihad Stadium and is undefeated, having won 12 and drawn 3.
In November 2022, they lost their league debut at home against Brentford.
In those 15 games played in Manchester, Pep Guardiola’s team has scored 43 goals; nevertheless, they have not been impenetrable defensively, giving up seven goals in their 11 home games in the top tier.
In their last seven Premier League away games, Chelsea has suffered five defeats.
The Blues enter this match fresh off consecutive 3-1 wins against Palace and Aston Villa, and they have only failed to score in two of their twelve league road games.
Given that Chelsea is still struggling to find their rhythm under Mauricio Pochettino, City looks unbeatable right now and is unlikely to falter against them.
The timing of Kevin De Bruyne’s injury comeback is ideal for the Citizens, who now have an even more creative outlet in an attacking group already full of skill.
Even though the Blues had won their previous two games coming into this match, it still seems like Pochettino does not know what his best lineup is, and Silva’s probable absence at the back would be a severe blow.
Chelsea should be able to record a goal, but that is about as good as it will get against a fiercely competitive City team.
