It is the clash of the big guns this weekend in the Premier League as league leaders Chelsea go head to head against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this Saturday.
Chelsea are on a seven-game unbeaten run, since October, and will look to continue in the same vein of form against the Citizens, who are currently 3rd in the table, just 1 point behind the Blues and level with second-placed Liverpool. A victory on the night will catapult City to the top at least till Sunday’s Liverpool match.
City will come into the match after having won a hard fought 2-1 victory against Burnley last weekend, where Sergio Aguero scored both the goals. Chelsea also won with the same scoreline in the London derby against Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham, thanks to second-half goals from Pedro and Victor Moses.
With the two heavyweights all set to clash, we take a look at the strongest combined XI featuring players that are available for Saturday night:
Formation: 4-4-2
Thibaut Courtois (GK)
The Belgian was unbeaten for a humungous 601 minutes in the Premier League until last week. Seven clean sheets so far this season speak for themselves. On the other hand, City’s stopper, Claudio Bravo, has looked edgy and prone to error. So, it is Courtois who makes it to the XI.
Victor Moses (RB)
Enough has been said about the performances of the Nigerian over the past few weeks. Has slotted into his new role of right-wingback seamlessly. His energy down the right flank has been excellent and he has, to everyone’s surprise, looked sound defensively as well.
Gary Cahill (CB)
Has grown into the leader of the Chelsea defence in the absence of captain John Terry. The Englishman is enjoying some of his best form in Chelsea colours this season, in the reformed 3-4-3 system of Antonio Conte. Solid in defence, Cahill has contributed with goals for his team as well.
Nicolas Otamendi (CB)
The Argentine has been City’s mainstay at the back, overshadowing big money summer signing John Stones. Never the one to back down from a fight, Otamendi has shown great tenacity in the heart of the defence and has performed admirably for the Citizens.
Cesar Azpilicueta (LB)
Another standout performer for Chelsea. Despite playing in an unfamiliar role of a right-sided centre-back, the Spaniard has hardly looked out of place. He has been one of the main reasons, Chelsea had managed to keep 6 clean sheets in a row. Hence Azpilicueta features in our line-up, in a more familiar position of his, at left-back.
Kevin De Bruyne (RW)
The Belgian has been City’s best player this season. Always making things happen, De Bruyne has scored twice and has assisted a further 7 goals for the Manchester-based side. Having featured for only 13 minutes in the Burnley encounter, he will come fresh into the game and will look to prove a point against his former employers.
N’golo Kante (CM)
The engine room of the Chelsea midfield. The Frenchman has unmatchable energy as he runs from box to box, throughout the match making his presence felt all over the pitch. Has been one of the transfers of the season. Chelsea will look up to him to shackle the likes of Yaya Toure in the midfield.
Fernandinho (CM)
The Brazilian has led by example from the midfield for the Citizens. Screens his defence admirably and helps out in attack as well. Has been Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenant this season. Composed and solid in the middle of the park, he is every manager’s dream.
Eden Hazard (LW)
Just like his compatriot De Bruyne for City, Eden Hazard has been Chelsea’s best player of the season. He looks a different player altogether from the one we saw last season. Conte’s switch in tactics has had a great impact on the 25-year old’s turn of form and he will pose a lot of questions to the City defence come Saturday.
Diego Costa (ST)
Having already scored 10 goals this season, Diego Costa looks like a man on a mission. The days of the silly on-field antics seem like a thing of the past as the Spaniard looks extremely focused. He has also shown tremendous improvement in his link-up play and has set up four goals for his teammates this season. Leading goalscorer in the Premier League along with Aguero.
Sergio Aguero (ST)
Diego Costa will be joined by Aguero at the top in this XI, much like the Premier League goalscoring charts where the two share the top spot with 10 goals each. He has blown hot and cold at times but seems to invariably pull his team out of bother, like he did against Burnley last weekend, scoring twice on an evening when City were far from their best.