The teams are in for the clash between Chelsea and Manchester City, this tie could have massive implications on both the title race and the battle for a top four finish.
The Blues got the better of Manchester City when the two sides met in December, Pep Guardiola and Co. will be itching to settle the score this afternoon, this is where we’ll see if City crumble under the pressure of chasing Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title.
Maurizio Sarri has made two changes to the side that demolished Huddersfield last weekend, Antonio Rudiger is in for Andreas Christensen at the heart of defence and Guardiola’s former Barcelona ace Pedro will come into the right-wing spot – in the place of Willian.
This will be Gonzalo Higuain’s first taste of a big game in England and Chelsea fans will be hoping that the prolific striker can put the sword to City’s defence. Given the youth of City’s backline, there is a chance that Higuain could use his experience to fashion himself some goalscoring opportunities.
Take a look at Chelsea’s team below:
The team news is in! ?
Here's how we line up this afternoon… ?#MCICHE pic.twitter.com/Lihxd4hSIQ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 10, 2019
Here’s how Pep Guardiola’s side will lineup:
Your #mancity line-up to take on Chelsea! ?
XI | Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko, Fernandinho (C), Gundogan, De Bruyne, Sterling, Bernardo, Aguero
SUBS | Muric, Danilo, Sané, Silva, Mahrez, Otamendi, Jesus@HaysWorldwide ?? #MCICHE pic.twitter.com/oyaHfKTuRc
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 10, 2019
Check out some reaction to Sarri’s lineup below:
What a joke…
— TheBestKepa (@ArrizabalagaCFC) February 10, 2019
Show us some fight tonight Chels! Get behind the team!
— WorldWideChels (@WorldWideChels) February 10, 2019
Am having a bad feeling ????, I don’t know why.
— ??Elohim ?? (@ebo_godwyll) February 10, 2019
Sarri is too predictable
— Odogwu esq (@its_emyce) February 10, 2019
Man this line up is nothing like I expected
— Sly (@Madukakingsle16) February 10, 2019
All of that Man City bench would get in the Chelsea team… I doubt any of ours would get in theirs. At least Barkley starts over Kovacic, which is positive.
— Max Headroom (@MaxHeadr) February 10, 2019
We used to challenge for the title now we’re battling for 4th place which we have no chance of achieving
— R Mandel (@RafiMandel) February 10, 2019
Jorginho again??? no goal.. no assist. Put Kante back in the middle and u wont waste Lofus-Cheek, Kovacis amd Barkley’s talent
— SamG (@anuchartg) February 10, 2019
Manchester City will need a win to keep up with Liverpool in the title race and Chelsea will need a win or draw in order to take back 4th place from Manchester United. I expect this clash to be a fiery encounter, there is too much at stake for either side to play it safe.
