Manchester City will be looking to reduce the gap at the top as we look at the best predicted starting 11 and key details for their match vs Chelsea for EPL 2023.
The last outing for Chelsea and Manchester City wasn’t a good one as both had to settle for a draw against Nottingham Forest and Everton respectively with the same scoreline of 1-1. Both would want to forget that outing, and come back to winning ways in their upcoming fixture.
Manchester City will be looking to close the gap at the top, and will be in the right spirits to do so after watching the Gunners dropping points against the Magpies on Tuesday. Cityzens are not at their usual best this season. They have not got a clean sheet in the last 4 PL outings, and have dropped points in the fixtures which they are expected to win comfortably.
With matches coming thick and fast, not only the starting 11 but also their bench strength, which they are known for needs to raise their game to present a challenge in PL as well as in the upcoming Champions League knockout stage. Unsurprisingly, they are yet to find a perfect starting 11 post World Cup 2022.
On the other hand, Chelsea are facing challenges of their own. There was so much noise at the start of the season with a change in ownership. And it has not helped by the decision to change their Champions League winning manager Thomas Tuchel just after the 6 League games this season.
As there was already a lot of unsettling in the dressing room, there is no question about the talent and skills in the squad, but about execution. Long-term injuries to Kante, James, and Chilwell didn’t help New Manager Graham Potter’s case and he is facing an uphill task to change the fortunes of 5-time PL winners.
History
Chelsea have slightly better numbers if the overall record is considered. But if we look at the last 10 Premier League encounters, then City are clearly the better side with 7 wins and 3 losses. Recently they faced each other in Carabao Cup Round 3 in November last year, which Manchester City won convincingly with a score line 2-0. The blues have also lost their previous two home encounters against Cityzens.
Games Played: 172 // Chelsea won: 71 // Manchester City won: 62 // Draw: 39
Chelsea Current Form (Recent first): D W L L L
Manchester City Current Form (Recent first): D W L W W
Match Details:
League Type: English Premier League (GW 19)
Match Type: Chelsea vs Manchester City
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
When: January 06, 1.30 am IST (8 pm GMT)
Predicting Starting 11 for both Teams
EPL 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester City Predicted Starting 11 for Chelsea
A major injury crisis has hit the Chelsea squad with key players like N’Golo Kante, Reece James, Chilwell, and Fofana all out of the action for quite a long period of time. Though goalkeeper Mendy might be fit for this fixture it is highly unlikely for him to make comeback in this crucial tie.
He might have to wait for one more game week to take the goalkeeping duties from Kepa. Looking at the attacking threat Manchester City possesses, it is expected of Graham Potter to play a 4-2-3-1 formation to have an extra line of defense. Zakaria is expected to share defensive midfield duties with Jorginho.
In the attacking front, Sterling and Gallagher will be crucial in counterattack situations against the high-line defense of Manchester City. After a disappointing outing against Nott’m Forest, Pulisic might find it difficult to get a place in starting 11. Mount is expected to start the proceedings along with Havertz whereas Aubameyang might come as the first change in the later stages of the game.
Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Defence: Cucurella, Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Azpilicueta
Defensive Midfield: Jorginho, Denis Zakaria
Attacking Midfield: Sterling, Mason Mount, Gallagher
Forward: Havertz
Formation: 4-2-3-1
EPL 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester City Predicted Starting 11 for Manchester City
Manchester City played a shocking draw against not-so-strong opponent Everton, who failed to get a single point in the previous 3 PL outings. Pep Guardiola surprisingly did not start Foden and Cancelo in the last game.
With KDB yet to find his best after the World Cup, City will certainly need the services of playmakers like Foden and Cancelo to break the deadlock situations. Against the 4-2-3-1 formation of Chelsea, Gundogan and Silva will come in handy to create space for the likes of Foden and Haaland.
Apart from Ruben Dias, who is still nursing a hamstring injury, there are no other major injury issues. Ederson and Rodri are other sure starters.
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Defence: Joao Cancelo, Aymeric Laporte, Manuel Akanji, John Stones
Midfield: Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva
Attack: Erling Haaland
Formation: 4-3-3
EPL 2022-23: Chelsea vs Manchester City Fantasy 11
We expect this fixture to be high scoring one. Our fantasy picks are revolving around the attacking options of both teams. Defensive picks in form of Cancelo, Cucurella, Stones, and Azpillicueta all have an eye for goal-scoring opportunities and are great threats during corners and free kicks.
Midfields of both the teams have big names but they are a bit off-color in the last few encounters. We all know how threatening KDB, Sterling, and Mount can be on their given day. Haaland and Havertz are in good form and select themselves in our fantasy 11.
With all said, let’s look at our chosen fantasy 11 for this match
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Defenders:, Joao Cancelo, Cucurella, John Stones, Azpillicueta
Midfielders Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Kevin De Bruyne, Kai Havertz
Forwards: Erling Haaland
CVC Choice: Erling Haaland and Kai Havertz
Squad Details:
Chelsea Squad:
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli
Defenders: Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Kalidou Koulibaly, Cesar Azpilicueta, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Reece James
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech
Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Armando Broja
Manager: Graham Potter
Manchester City Squad:
Goalkeepers: Stefan Ortega Moreno, Ederson, Scott Carson
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo, Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Gomez, Manuel Akanji
Midfielders: Kalvin Phillips, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, Rodrigo, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer
Forwards: Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Riyad Mahrez
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the Chelsea vs Manchester City starting 11 for EPL 2023? Please email your thoughts to footbalyticsofficial@gmail.com
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Akshay is an author at Footbalytics. His love for football started way back in 1998 when Ronaldo (Not Cristiano) was his first football hero, and the list keeps getting longer ever since.
Though Akshay is a Teacher by profession, he firmly believes that there is no better classroom than the Sports field and no better Teacher than Sports.