'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester City host Chelsea at the Etihad as they aim to return to winning ways in the Premier League. Last season's treble winners came up short in their previous league encounter against Liverpool, as the Merseyside giants registered a stunning 3-1 victory at Anfield to go 9 points clear of Pep Guardiola's side in the Premier League summit.
Chelsea will look to make it seven Premier League wins in succession when they travel to the Etihad and will look to inflict more misery on the home side, as they aim to consolidate their position in the top-four. Frank Lampard's side are currently one point above their opponents for the weekend after overcoming a slow start to the season and his young side have dazzled the Premier League with their eye-catching brand of football.
Manchester City v Chelsea Head-to-Head
The two sides have met 44 times in the Premier League era and Chelsea have emerged victorious on 25 occasions, with 7 draws. The Blues lost the corresponding fixture 6-0 last season, as Sergio Aguero spearheaded Manchester City with a stunning hat-trick.
Manchester City form guide: L-W-W-W-L
Chelsea form guide: W-W-W-W-W
Manchester City v Chelsea Team News
Manchester City
Ederson Moraes was missing for the crucial tie against Liverpool before the international break and the Cityzens missed him dearly, as the Reds registered a stunning 3-1 victory at Anfield to move 9 points clear of Pep Guardiola's side in the Premier League summit.
The Brazilian shot-stopper is fully-fit once again and is set to replace Claudio Bravo between the sticks. Bernardo Silva will also be unavailable after he was slapped with a one-match ban by the FA over a tweet concerning teammate Benjamin Mendy.
Injuries: Aymeric Laporte, Oleksandr Zinchenko
Suspensions: Bernardo Silva
Chelsea
N'Golo Kante's availability could lead to Mason Mount dropping out of the starting XI, as the Blues look to stay compact and control the game in midfield. Cesar Azpilicueta is set to return after a one-match suspension at the expense of Reece James, who impressed on his first start in the Premier League.
Christian Pulisic has been in sublime form in recent weeks and the American is set to start alongside Willian and Tammy Abraham upfront, as Frank Lampard looks to keep the changes to a minimum and carry on the winning momentum.
Injuries: Antonio Rudiger, Ross Barkley
Suspensions: None
Manchester City v Chelsea Predicted Lineups
Manchester City predicted XI (4-3-3): Ederson Moraes, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Fernandinho, Angelino, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling
Chelsea predicted XI (4-3-3): Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, Marcos Alonso, Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Willian, Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic
Manchester City v Chelsea Prediction
Lampard's side have been fantastic in recent weeks but Manchester City's attack could be too much to handle for their young backline. The game promises to have its fair share of goals and drama and the Cityzens have no margin for error, as Liverpool could go 12 points clear of them with a victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Verdict - Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea
Also check out: EPL fixtures EPL table UCL schedule
