Chelsea

Costa + Aguero Start: Predicted Starting XI’s For Man City vs Chelsea

Champions Manchester City welcome title favourites Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Here are our predicted starting line-ups for the game:

by
Football Talk
September 19, 2014

Premier League champions Manchester City welcome title favourites Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Here are our predicted starting line-ups for the game:

Man City

Goalkeeper: No question Joe Hart will start the match unless he picks up a late injury.

Defence: Pablo Zabaleta is set to return after missing the midweek clash against Bayern Munich so Bacary Sagna will drop to the bench. Gael Clichy is expected to keep Alexander Kolarov out the side once again while Eliaquim Mangala is unlikely to break up the Demichelis-Kompany partnership just yet.

Midfield: Fernando remains on the sidelines so Fernandinho will continue alongside Yaya Toure in midfield. James Milner could come in as he did against Arsenal last weekend to offer some versatility and work-rate against a dangerous Chelsea side.

Attack: Edin Dzeko is struggling with a niggling back injury so Sergio Aguero could spearhead the attack with David Silva and Samir Nasri in support.

Chelsea

Goalkeeper: Jose Mourinho has picked Thibaut Courtois as his No.1 and that’s not likely to change this weekend. Petr Cech should start in the Capital One Cup in midweek.

Defence: Cesar Azpilicueta is expected to be recalled after being rested in midweek so Filipe Luis should drop back to the bench. Otherwise, Mourinho will stick to his favoured back-four.

Midfield: There is a chance Mourinho may bring Ramires in to add more power to his midfield which could see Cesc Fabregas moved further forward – possibly in place of Oscar. However, I can see the in-form Blues taking the game to City which could see Mourinho adopt a more attacking line-up than usual.

Attack: Eden Hazard is a certainty to start and Andre Schurrle seems to be the preferred choice over Willian right now, so the duo could support Diego Costa with Mourinho confirming the Spaniard will start up front having been rested in midweek.

Here’s how the two teams could line-up: