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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Experiencing a live football match in a stadium is genuinely remarkable. The atmosphere differs significantly from watching on a screen. The energy and excitement are contagious, immersing you in the game like never before. If you're gearing up for your inaugural football match, knowing what to expect is essential. The sheer intensity of being surrounded by hundreds or thousands of passionate fans can be overwhelming. To ensure you make the most of this unique experience, here are some tips for first-timers: Secure Tickets Early Getting tickets is crucial, especially for popular events like the World Cup or highly anticipated matches. Buying online is often the most convenient method. As the season progresses, ticket demand increases, leading to quick sell-outs. Prices can vary based on team popularity, stadium quality, and other factors. You can think about buying your tickets in cryptocurrency. Consider using USDT but first understand tether meaning to know how to go about it. If you have a specific team or player you want to see, plan accordingly by checking their schedule and securing tickets early for the best experience. …
FRANCE WIN 14-0 🤯Les Bleus score 14 (FOURTEEN) times vs. Gibraltar for their biggest-ever win.…
Aston Villa are having a very fine season so far in the Premier League. The…
The Premier League run-in, the backend of the title race for Manchester City sees them…
Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…
Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…