CHELSEA travel to Manchester City TODAY for their third clash of the season.
The Blues lost 1-0 to the champions of England in the Premier League on Thursday night thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s goal.
They were also defeated by City in the Carabao Cup at the end of 2022, losing 2-0 at the Etihad.
But Graham Potter’s side will be out for revenge this afternoon, having performed well in their defeat at Stamford Bridge earlier this week.
The FA Cup fourth round draw is taking place just before the game.
- Kick-off: 4.30pm UK
- TV channel: BBC One
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer
- Man City XI: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Palmer, Mahrez, Alvarez, Foden
- Chelsea XI: Kepa; Chalobah, Humphreys, Koulibaly, Hall; Kovacic, Jorginho; Gallagher, Mount; Ziyech, Havertz
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Norwegian breaking records for fun
Erling Haaland is tearing up the record books this season.
If he plans to do so in this competition, he should know Wrexham’s Paul Mullins have a six-goal head start.
The Norwegian striker starts on the bench today.
Can we play you every week
Pep Guardiola’s side came away from Stamford Bridge on Thursday with a 1-0 victory.
After he refused to make any changes until the 87th minute against Everton, the City boss seemed to have learned from his mistakes as he made changes early in West London.
This is the third time these teams have faced each other this season, with City having a 100% record.
Credit: Getty Latest match odds for game
The bookies have Man City as heavy favourites for this game.
Man City 2/5
Draw 7/2
Chelsea 6/1
These odds are brought to you by Betfair
Chelsea subs:
13. Bettinelli, 28. Azpilicueta, 4. Badiashile, 32. Cucurella, 6. Thiago Silva, 30. Chukwuemeka, 20. Zakaria, 56. Hutchinson, 27. Fofana
Chelsea starting XI:
The good news for Graham Potter is that Mason Mount is fit to play after picking up an injury in the last game.
1. Kepa, 42. Humphreys, 26. Koulibaly, 14. Chalobah, 67. Hall, 8. Kovacic, 5. Jorginho, 19. Mount, 22. Ziyech, 29. Havertz, 23. Gallagher
Credit: @ChelseaFC Man City subs:
31. Ederson, 4. Phillips, 5. Stones, 6. Ake, 7. Cancelo, 8. Gundogan, 9. Haaland, 17. De Bruyne, 82. Lewis
Man City starting XI:
Pep Guardiola rotates his squad considering the three big games they have within the next 7 days.
18. Ortego Moreno, 2. Walker, 25. Akanji, 14. Laporte, 21. Gomez, 16. Rodrigo, 20. Bernardo, 80. Palmer, 26. Mahrez, 19. Alvarez, 47. Foden
Credit: @ManCity Etihad ready for trilogy conclusion
This will be the third time these two teams have met this season.
Guardiola’s side have beaten The Blues in the EFL Cup 2-0 before recently winning in the Premier League 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard will be looking to make it three wins on the spin against Graham Potter’s side today.
Credit: EPA Guardiola looking to make it three in a row
Having dumped Chelsea out of the EFL Cup with a 2-0 victory, the pair have met in the Premier League since, with City winning 1-0.
The Spanish manager has a chance today to make it a trio of wins.
With the large quality at his disposal, he is expected to field a strong side today.
Potter conjures up new signings
Chelsea have completed some early transfers in this window.
The signings of David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Andrey Santos have all been finalised.
It is unlikely that any of the trio will be ready to feature today though.
Youth with chance to shine
Up and coming starlets such as Carney Chukwuemeka, Omari Hutchinson and Lewis Hall could all have the opportunity to step in with Chelsea’s injury crisis.
They were forced to come on early in the league game against Man City.
The trio will get a rare chance to show what they are made of in the first team, something not usually given to young players at the West London outfit.
Welcome to Man City vs Chelsea
Man City welcome Chelsea to The Etihad this afternoon as the two giants lock horns for the second time in the space of four days, this time in the FA Cup third round.
City could be without only two players for today’s game in Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias, who are nursing back and hamstring issues respectively.
World Cup winner Julian Alvarez should be considered for some minutes in this game after his Qatar adventure.
Super subs Grealish and Mahrez could make a start, along with England midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
Guardiola may want to make the bulk of his changes for this week’s EFL Cup showdown with Southampton.
In contrast, Chelsea have no fewer than 10 players on the sidelines, although Graham Potter will be hoping some may be close to full fitness again.
It is unlikely that Mount, Sterling or Pulisic will be available for this game after picking up injuries against Man City in their recent league encounter.
The Blues remain without Reece James, Armando Broja and Edouard Mendy.
It remains to be seen if Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek can make their comebacks in this one.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang will be hoping for another chance after coming on for Sterling before being taken off again on Thursday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
