Early team news: Attacker confirmed to be absent for Manchester City vs Chelsea (Premier League)

Manchester City host Chelsea in a mammoth Premier League encounter on Saturday evening – a clash that could have huge ramifications on either side’s top-four hopes.

Pep Guardiola and his players come into the contest having fallen to 25th position in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, crumbling in the second-half against Paris Saint-Germain to lose a 0-2 lead by the 53rd minute and fall to a 4-2 defeat by the final whistle.

Manchester City had largely recovered from their horrendous run of inconsistent and losing form throughout November and December, going unbeaten since Boxing Day and recording sizeable-margin wins over Salford City in the FA Cup and Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

However, the loss in the French capital will come as a significant wake-up call to all those within the football club, realising that their season is far from out of danger despite an encouraging patch in recent weeks.

The reigning Premier League champions have endured a mixed bag of updates when it comes to team news as John Stones returned to the fold against PSG, while Jeremy Doku, Nathan Ake, and Ruben Dias all took to the treatment table after recent fresh injury problems.

Ahead of the confirmed team news from the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening, some initial information has began to filter throughout social media from journalists and sources regarding Manchester City’s starting line-up.

According to the information of The Telegraph’s Matt Law, Chelsea forward Joao Felix is not in Enzo Maresca’s travelling squad for the weekend’s game against Manchester City as the Portugal international has flown home following a family bereavement.

It is further detailed that the London club have granted Felix compassionate leave, and subsequently an absence from Saturday evening’s contest at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola and Enzo Maresca are expected to confirmed their respective Manchester City and Chelsea starting line-ups around 16:15 (UK) on Saturday afternoon.

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