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Chelsea will go to the Etihad Stadium with confidence, although matters off the pitch have disrupted their plans slightly. Romelu Lukaku released an interview regarding his happiness at the club just months after signing with the Blues from Inter Milan<\/strong>. The Belgian was dropped from the squad against Liverpool, and Tuchel may want to continue to send a message against City.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nMan City Injuries, Suspensions & Team News<\/h2>\n \n\n\n
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City have been fortunate to avoid a glut of injuries, although they have been tested by absences such as injuries to John Stones and Kyle Walker<\/strong>. Walker appears to be on the comeback trail, and could be pressed into action against the Blues. Oleksandr Zinchenko has battled with fitness issues throughout the campaign and was forced to miss the win over Arsenal in the Premier League after testing positive for COVID-19. Nathan Ake filled in at left-back, but the return of Walker could allow Joao Cancelo to move over to the left and Walker to slot back into the right-back position. Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte should anchor the middle of the defence, with Ake returning to the bench should Zinchenko not be available.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
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Rodri showed no signs of fitness trouble when he scored the winner against the Gunners. He had been isolating after over the festive period, but was on point in the middle of the park. Phil Foden missed the win due to his own positive COVID-19 test, and with Riyad Mahrez away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria<\/strong>, City will have their depth tested in the final third. Grealish could be reinstated after a spell out of the team, while youngster Cole Palmer is another option for Guardiola to consider.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Man City Predicted Starting XI<\/strong>: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan; Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\nChelsea Injuries, Suspensions & Team News<\/h2>\n \n\n\n
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Tuchel faces a difficult decision regarding whether to integrate Lukaku back into the line-up against City<\/strong>. The Belgian can be a match-winner on his day, but he does not have the best record against the elite teams in the Premier League. Chelsea proved that they can score goals without Lukaku in the final third against Liverpool.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
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Christian Pulisic has fared well leading the line in place of Lukaku, but Tuchel will hope that Timo Werner can return to fitness after suffering from COVID-19 to provide a natural frontman to play off. Kai Havertz has been disappointing since his move from Bayer Leverkusen, and might be the player to make way from the final third that drew against Liverpool.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
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Elsewhere, Reece James could be out for an extended period after suffering a hamstring tear<\/strong>. He joins Ben Chilwell on the sidelines, who has already been confirmed to be out for the rest of the season. As a result, options are thin on the ground at the back for the Blues, which could be made worse by an injury suffered by Trevoh Chalobah against the Reds.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
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Chelsea may have to enter the transfer market to plug the gaps in their backline. Edouard Mendy has papered over the cracks at times for the Blues this term, but he will also be absent as he is competing at the Africa Cup of Nations for Senegal<\/strong>. Kepa Arrizabalaga will slot into the side between the posts at the Etihad Stadium.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Chelsea Predicted Starting XI<\/strong>: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger; Christian Pulisic, N\u2019Golo Kante, Jorginho, Marcos Alonso; Kai Havertz, Romelu Lukaku, Mason Mount<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n