With an hour to go before kick-off, the team sheets are in for the huge Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Both Chelsea and Manchester City will be eager for three points when they clash at Stamford Bridge in just under an hour. Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola have confirmed their respective teams so let’s see who has made the cut.
Team to face Man City: Courtois; Zouma, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Azpilicueta, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Diego Costa, Hazard. #CHEMCI
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 5, 2017
CITY XI | Caballero, Clichy, Stones, Kompany (c), Fernandinho, Delph, Sane, Silva, De Bruyne, Navas, Aguero #cfcvcity #mcfc
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 5, 2017
Conte shakes up the defence following the disappointing performance against Palace. Kurt Zouma comes into a back three, with Cesar Azpilicueta being pushed out to wingback. The Spaniard will oppose his compatriot, Marcos Alonso, on the flanks.
Pedro was the replacement for Victor Moses at the weekend, but his unfamiliarity with the role was evident. He retains his spot in the starting eleven, but will now take up a more suitable wing role closer to the opposition’s net.
Nemanja Matic is the only player to make way, as he drops out of the midfield two. N’Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas will form the partnership, with the latter dropping in after playing in an advanced position against Palace. The onus will be on the duo to prevent Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva from wielding their influence.
More from The Pride of London
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea player ratings: Abysmal, reckless, wasteful
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
Eden Hazard, meanwhile, put in a masterful performance on Saturday and Chelsea will be leaning on him to replicate it tonight. City’s defence is questionable so they will be there for the taking should the ball fall to the right men. Hazard is Chelsea’s principal creative channel and everything must go through the Belgian.
Up front, Diego Costa continues. He has been thoroughly disappointing in recent weeks but all will be forgiven if he can bag a goal or two. Conte gave Michy Batshuayi a surprising 17-minute stint last time out, so hopefully Costa will be spurred into action with the threat of substitution more substantial than ever before.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola makes two changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Arsenal. Club captain Vincent Kompany attempts to make yet another return from injury while Fabian Delph is a surprise inclusion. Nicolas Otamendi and Raheem Sterling make way.
City need all three points and they have an attacking team out there. The Blues will need to be both resolute and decisive to hold off Guardiola’s men.
What do you think of the teams? Join the debate with our Twitter account!