Manchester City and Chelsea are both dealing with a number of injury doubts ahead of their blockbuster showdown this Saturday.
The English giants met on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, with Pep Guardiola‘s men seemingly putting down a marker with a 2-0 win.
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However, since then, the defending champions have spent much of the season trailing Enzo Maresca‘s Blues.
City’s campaign hit a new low in midweek after throwing away a two-goal lead in their 4-2 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
The club have been the most active in the January transfer window to correct their faltering form, with a £125million outlay on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
City will also be buoyed by their impressive form over Chelsea, going unbeaten in their last seven Premier League meetings.
The west Londoners know another defeat will see them forfeit their hold on fourth spot and will be desperate to snap their horror run.
Man City
Guardiola has a decision to make over whether any of his three new signings could come straight in for their Premier League debuts.
Given the magnitude of the game, it’s unlikely Khusanov or Reis will be thrown straight into the makeshift City backline despite their manager admitting they are going to be in the squad.
High-profile attacking arrival Marmoush only completed his move on Thursday so instead will have to make do with a spot on the bench.
Guardiola has not deployed a strike partnership since Julian Alvarez operated behind Erling Haaland at the start of last season.
Now-Atletico Madrid star Alvarez had been deputising for the injured Kevin De Bruyne – where Marmoush will also be pushing to feature.
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Belgian De Bruyne was once again unable to complete 90 minutes in midweek but will be fit enough to start against his former club.
Marmoush has occasionally featured on the wings as well, but Phil Foden‘s recent return to form has cemented his spot on the right.
Savinho – who made his Premier League debut in the 2-0 win over Chelsea in August – is leading the race to continue on the left.
Jack Grealish may consider himself unlucky not to be included having ended his lengthy wait for a goal from open play against PSG.
Further back, Ederson looks to have regained Guardiola’s confidence in goal having started the past two matches ahead of Stefan Ortega.
The club’s No.1 will be protected by a four-man defence of Matheus Nunes, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol, and the returning John Stones.
Ruben Dias is a doubt after being forced off at half-time in Paris, but should he be fit to start, Akanji could displace Gvardiol on the left.
Guardiola’s final selection choice will be over his double pivot in midfield where Rodri‘s absence continues to prove an issue.
Mateo Kovacic had a night to forget in the Champions League but his mobility will be needed to mitigate Chelsea’s engine room.
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Chelsea
The visitors also have injury worries to contend with, after midfield duo Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia missed the 3-1 win over Wolves.
“We don’t know yet. We need to wait a little bit more [on Lavia],” Maresca said.
“At least a few weeks more. Probably Enzo could be ready.”
If Fernandez isn’t ready though, then Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could continue to partner Moises Caicedo.
Returning Blues captain Reece James is fit to start at right-back, with fellow academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah impressing on his return.
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The latter registered an assist during his first match back at his boyhood club following the early end of his Crystal Palace loan.
Levi Colwill is still nursing a knock, which opens the door for Chalobah to join goalscorer Tosin Adarabioyo at the heart of the defence.
Cole Palmer managed 84 minutes against Wolves despite being a fitness doubt beforehand so will feature on his return to the Etihad.
Noni Madeuke will hope finding the net will be enough for him to retain his spot on the right wing.
However, the same can’t be said for Pedro Neto, who will likely have to make do with dropping to the bench in favour of Jadon Sancho.
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Man City vs Chelsea: Kick-off time and how to follow
This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, January 25.
Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is scheduled for 5:30pm.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will keep you up to date with all the latest build-up and reaction.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Man City vs Chelsea: What has been said?
Speaking about the success of his former assistant Maresca, Guardiola said: “[He’s changed Chelsea] a lot.
“I think we recognised the team from day one when we played in the pre-season in the United States.
“Many things, I start to see which we spoke about many times in the last years together. Really good.
“I’m very pleased, I was a lucky man to work with him in the last years.
“Everything happened with him and his family, if he’s fine, I am fine. I’m happy for him.”
