Chelsea host title-favourites Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
The Blues come into this one off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Wolves in mid-week, having also lost to Spurs in the game before. Chelsea had been imperious before this recent drop in form, picking up 31 points from a possible 45 in the league.
The Londoners have no new injury concerns, so Maurizio Sarri will have plenty of options to choose from to do battle with the Citizens.
Here’s how Chelsea could lineup for their meeting with City.
1. Goalkeeper and Defenders
Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK): The young Spanish ‘keeper has done well in his debut season, since arriving for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper, the 24-year-old has kept seven clean sheets and only letting 13 past him.
César Azpilicueta (RB): The Spaniard has found joy playing on the right of defence this season, and he’s already found a couple of goals for himself.
Antionio Rüdiger (CB): The 25-year-old German defender has started all of Chelsea’s league games under Sarri, and he has been impressive in their back four.
David Luiz (CB): The Brazilian’s return to Chelsea from PSG has sometimes been fraught with inconsistency, but under Sarri, Luiz has started to regain the form that saw him reunite with the Blues. Absent for the mid-week defeat, he will replace Andreas Christensen.
Marcos Alonso (LB): Alonso is the complete left-back, combining defensive durability with power and pace down the left. He was at fault against Wolves, but is ever-present for Chelsea with his ability to score from direct free-kicks.
2. Midfielders
Jorginho (CM): Since arriving from Napoli this summer, the metronomic midfielder as dictated proceedings for Chelsea from the middle of the park. His passing and reading of the game has been influential to the Blues’ performances in recent weeks.
N’Golo Kanté (CM): Tackling, breaking up play, and bursting forward, the diminutive Frenchman is indispensable for Chelsea. His disruptive game gives the rest of the team the platform to play to their strengths.
Mateo Kova?i? (CM): On loan from Real Madrid, the Croat has brought his World Cup form to the Premier League. Although he’s struggled to play out 90 minutes, Kovacic’s freshness means that he should start against City.
3. Forwards
Pedro (RW): Chelsea’s Spanish winger has been in streaky form this season, but with Willian failing to make claim for a start as well as making a mistake that led to one of Wolves goals, Pedro gets the nod for the City clash.
Eden Hazard (LW): The Belgian is enjoying one of his best starts to a season for the Blues, but hasn’t found the net since October. He is more than capable of changing that at any moment, and against City he’ll fancy himself to score.
Álvaro Morata (ST): The man from Madrid hasn’t exactly set the league alight since arriving from the Spanish capital. But with five goals to his name this season, he’s got enough fire in his belly to try and prove his doubters wrong.
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