In a Premier League clash on Saturday Manchester City vs Chelsea will be hosted at the Etihad Stadium in a dress rehearsal for the forthcoming all-English Champions League final. While Chelsea defeated Real Madrid 3-1 over two legs to set up a European showdown with their counterparts, Pep Guardiola’s side defeated last year’s runners-up Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 on aggregate.
Manchester City vs Chelsea Team news
Manchester City lineup: Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Mendy; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling
Manchester City has had an additional 24 hours to rest and train for this game than Chelsea.
City has John Stones suspended for the match hence Aymeric Laporte will be placed in the starting lineup.
In the midweek game, Rodri was unexpectedly ruled out against PSG, he could reclaim his place from Fernandinho here. Joao Cancelo could play again in the starting lineup.
Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, and Gabriel Jesus could back up Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden.
Chelsea lineup: Mendy; Zouma, Rudiger, Christensen; James, Jorginho, Kante, Alonso; Mount, Pulisic; Havertz
Thomas Tuchel will have to rotate his squad a little on Saturday after Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid
At the end of the previous match, Cesar Azpilicueta was having a hard time thus he will be given the weekend off.
At the Etihad, Christian Pulisic, Kurt Zouma, Hakim Ziyech, Marcos Alonso, and Reece James are among the most likely starters.
Tuchel is hoping for Mateo Kovacic to return so the pressure on Jorginho and N’Golo Kante could be relieved.
Prediction
Saturday’s match between Manchester City and Chelsea is a dress rehearsal for the final at the end of the month after both teams advanced to the Champions League final in midweek.
Chelsea wants to finish in the top four if they lose to Pep Guardiola’s side in the final, who are aiming to win the Premier League. They currently have a three-point lead over fifth place.
We expect Tuchel’s undefeated away record to begin with a score tie against City’s Champions League final opponents. City hasn’t had a flawless run at an empty Etihad this season, while Chelsea has benefited greatly from the home advantage phenomenon being washed out in the absence of spectators, so we expect Tuchel’s unbeaten away record to continue with a score draw against their Champions League final opponents.
Our Prediction: Manchester City 1 – 1 Chelsea
