Chelsea will be able to call on the services of Diego Costa when they host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
When the fixture list was released at the beginning of the season, this match would have been pencilled in by many as a potential title decider, but such has been the unpredictability of this campaign, that neither side find themselves in contention for the Premier League crown with six matches still to play this term.
Indeed, while Manchester City are still in the hunt for a Champions League qualifying berth, Chelsea have little to play for, and head into the weekend down in tenth place, although a spot in the Europa League is not off the cards if they end the campaign well.
To this end, expect Guus Hiddink to recall Diego Costa to his starting lineup, with the Spain striker returning to contention after finishing his three-match suspension.
Chelsea Predicted XI v Man City
With Loic Remy still injured, Costa will be a natural choice to lead the line, and expect the tenacious frontman to be supported by Pedro, Willian and Oscar, particularly with Eden Hazard still absent due to his hip injury.
With Nemanja Matic a doubt according to The Guardian, we anticipate that John Obi Mikel will partner Cesc Fabregas in the heart of the midfield, and the ongoing absence of John Terry and Kurt Zouma means that Branislav Ivanovic will likely be partnered by Gary Cahill in the centre of the defence.
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Cesar Azpilicueta and Abdul Rahman Baba complete the backline, which will seek to protect Thibaut Courtois’ goal from the menacing threats of Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne.