Manchester City vs Chelsea: Latest City injury news and predicted City starting eleven

Manchester City take on Chelsea today at the Etihad Stadium in a crucial Premier League fixture for both teams. Both sides are chasing a top-four finish, and today’s match could be crucial to both side’s chances of securing Champions League football for next season. Pep Guardiola’s side will come into today’s match off the back of a disappointing 4-2 defeat to PSG in Paris. Chelsea have had a week to prepare for today’s match after their 3-1 win over Wolves.

Here is the latest City injury news and my predicted City starting eleven ahead of today’s massive fixture.

Latest Manchester City injury news

Pep Guardiola’s side will enter today’s match without several key players. Rodri is obviously out as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury. Nathan Ake will also miss today’s match due to injury.

Pep Guardiola confirmed yesterday that Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku will both miss today’s match due to injury. Ruben Dias was substituted at halftime of City’s defeat to PSG with an abductor injury. Doku was injured during the latter stages of Manchester City’s 6-nil win over Ipswich Town last Sunday.

Oscar Bobb has continued his recovery from a fractured leg and maybe today is the day that he returns to the Manchester City squad. Kyle Walker has completed his loan move to AC Milan for the remainder of this season.

Predicted City starting eleven

Stefan Ortega: Ederson wasn’t at his best against PSG so I expect Ortega to return in goal today.

Matheus Nunes: Nunes wasn’t at his best against PSG. But his pace may be crucial against Chelsea’s pacey wingers today so I expect him to start at right-back.

Manuel Akanji: With Dias and Ake out, I assume Akanji will start at centre-back, although he has struggled in recent games.

Abdukodir Khusanov: I expect Khusanov to make his debut today for Manchester City. The young centre-back has attributes that City have lacked so I think he’ll start today.

Josko Gvardiol: Gvardiol was poor against PSG so he must bounce back today.

John Stones: Manchester City’s midfield was overrun against PSG. I’m expecting Guardiola to start Stones in midfield to try and shore up City’s engine room.

Mateo Kovacic: Despite being below his best against PSG I expect Kovacic to line up in midfield today.

Omar Marmoush: I can’t see De Bruyne starting three games in a week. If that proves to be the case I’d like to see Marmoush debut in the De Bruyne role for today’s match. He could provide City with the energy they have lacked recently if he starts today’s match.

Phil Foden: I can’t see Foden not starting today’s crucial match. He simply must play well today.

Jack Grealish: Grealish put in a good performance off the bench against PSG. I expect him to start today off the back of that display.

Erling Haaland: An automatic selection for today’s match. If he gets the service he could well decide the game.