Manchester Metropolis return to Premier League motion after a midweek defeat to Paris Saint-Germain within the UEFA Champions League as they host Chelsea on the Etihad Stadium.
After six video games with out tasting defeat throughout all competitions, Pep Guardiola’s aspect confirmed their outdated weaknesses on Wednesday night, giving freely 4 unanswered targets after taking a two-goal lead in Paris early within the second-half.
Whereas their Champions League hopes now hold within the steadiness going into the eighth and last matchday subsequent week, Manchester Metropolis will flip attentions again to home affairs this weekend in a Premier League showdown with Chelsea.
The Sky Blues collected all three factors at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the 2024/25 season, and the 2 Premier League giants now discover themselves locked in a race to complete within the top-four. The Londoners presently sit two factors forward of the Etihad outfit.
Heading into the showdown in Manchester on Saturday, considerations have been raised surrounding the health of defenders Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias, however Pep Guardiola might discover some respite within the arrival of January signings Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
In the meantime, the Premier League champions additionally introduced the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt and Egypt worldwide ahead Omar Marmoush on Thursday morning, who was thrust straight into coaching alongside his new teammates hours later.
With these new arrivals in thoughts for the Premier League champions, let’s check out how Pep Guardiola might arrange his Manchester Metropolis aspect towards Chelsea on Saturday night!
Predicted XI
Ederson seems to again in Pep Guardiola’s good graces after Stefan Ortega Moreno took his beginning spot in between the sticks for plenty of matches, and the previous ought to stay within the line-up this weekend.
Matheus Nunes has been stable sufficient, if not nameless, within the right-back position since working within the place for the primary time towards Manchester United final month. The Portugal worldwide ought to retain his spot within the line-up towards Chelsea this weekend, too.
John Stones‘ return to the group is a significant enhance for Pep Guardiola, and if he can get 90 minutes out of him towards Chelsea this weekend, Manchester Metropolis will little question be higher for it. The Englishman ought to be partnered with Manuel Akanji.
In the meantime, Josko Gvardiol will take up his common spot on the left-flank with no different alternate options accessible to Pep Guardiola. Though, some have identified that Vitor Reis has featured within the position at Palmeiras earlier in his profession.
A double-pivot midfield of Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic gave Manchester Metropolis some extra management towards Ipswich City final day out within the Premier League. Because of this, that duo could play collectively as soon as once more towards Enzo Maresca’s aspect.
Kevin De Bruyne seemed fairly leggy towards Paris Saint-Germain through the midweek defeat, which can simply result in Phil Foden taking on the Belgian’s central position as he continues to regain his type.
Savinho has impressed out on the left-wing as of late, however we imagine the Brazilian will return again to the right-hand aspect of Manchester Metropolis’s attacking trio on account of Foden vacating the position.
Whereas Omar Marmoush is lastly within the constructing for Manchester Metropolis following prolonged negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt for his signature this month, Erling Haaland will stay in his common beginning position down the center.
Jack Grealish has seemingly been out of favour with Pep Guardiola as of late, however the Englishman made a significant impression off the bench towards PSG on Wednesday night, scoring a aim and creating one other. We imagine he will likely be again within the fold towards Chelsea.
Predicted XI: Ederson; Nunes, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Kovacic, Foden; Savinho, Haaland, Grealish.
Substitutes: Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Khusanov, Reis, O’Reilly, Bernardo, De Bruyne, McAtee, Marmoush.
