UPDATE: Confirmed lineups are out.
Manchester City vs. Chelsea lineups: Projected starters for Sunday’s match
Who will Chelsea and Manchester City pick for Sunday’s clash?
Manchester City and Chelsea contest the biggest game of the Premier League season thus far on Sunday, and based on what's happened so far this year, it could be the biggest until they meet for a second time in the new year. These are the two clear title favorites.
Chelsea have no injury issues heading into this match, so Jose Mourinho should be able to play whoever he wants. Diego Costa had a mild fitness concern midweek, but he was rested in the UEFA Champions League, presumably so he'd be completely healthy for this match.
Things are going similarly well for City on the injury front, but they will be missing a couple of players who would have been in contention to start. Both forward Stevan Jovetic and midfielder Fernando will be unavailable. Edin Dzeko is a slight doubt with a back injury, but is expected to at least make the 18-man squad.
Cesc Fabregas has been Chelsea's starter in a two-man center so far this season, but he's not great defensively in that role, and Mourinho probably won't use him in the exact same role away to City. It's possible that he gets benched, and very likely that he plays in a slightly different role if he plays, either as an attacking midfielder or as part of a 4-3-3. Mourinho's shown a willingness to seriously change his team and formation for big games, and this should be no exception.
City, meanwhile, make most of their tactical adjustments with subtle moves among the attacking band of three players in their 4-2-3-1. Manuel Pellegrini could go with his most attacking group, but if he feels like he needs some more defense down the flanks, James Milner could make a start.
Projected Chelsea starting XI (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic; Ramires, Nemanja Matic; Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Andre Schürrle; Diego Costa
Projected Manchester City starting XI (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; Gael Clichy, Martin Demichelis, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta; Fernandinho, Yaya Toure; James Milner, David Silva, Jesus Navas; Sergio Aguero
UPDATE: Confirmed lineups are out.
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