Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon to take on Manchester City.
Both sides are expected to firmly challenge for this season’s title, and thus will be out to secure bragging rights early on in the campaign.
Chelsea’s title-defence got off to a terribly disappointing start, as they drew 2-2 with Swansea City at Stamford Bridge, with Thibaut Courtois being shown a red card early in the second-half.
SEE MORE:
Eva Carneiro affair
Man City v Chelsea squad BATTLE: How do rivals’ best XIs compare ahead of Sunday clash?
Man City v Chelsea team news: Sergio Aguero provides fitness update ahead of Etihad showdown
Diego Costa was unexpectedly named in Mourinho’s starting XI last week, in what was a line-up with no changes to the side that stunned England’s top flight in the 2014-15 campaign, and is likely to again start in Manchester.
Courtois, meanwhile, is serving his one-match ban, and Asmir Begovic will thus take his place as the the No.1 for the clash against the Citizens.
Here’s our predicted Chelsea XI…
GK – Asmir Begovic
The 28-year-old replaced Courtois following the Belgian’s red card last week, and impressed on his domestic debut, suggesting that he could well challenge for the No.1 spot.
LB – Cesar Azpilicueta
Chelsea’s full backs will need to be at their best today with such pace in the City attack. Azpilicueta continues to impress, but competition is surely a must to keep the Spaniard on his toes.
CB – John Terry
Terry was handed a stern test by the Swans’ Bafetimbi Gomis in their opening game, but will face an even tougher task to keep Sergio Aguero away from goal.
CB – Gary Cahill
Despite competition from Kurt Zouma, Cahill deservedly remains Mourinho’s first-choice to partner Terry. News that the Blues are interested in Everton’s John Stones, however, may have worried the England international.
RB – Branislav Ivanovic
Last week, the accomplished Ivanovic was given the runaround by Swansea’s Jefferson Montero, and this week, will have £49m man Raheem Sterling to contend with.
