Chelsea manager, Graham Potter is expected to name a strong squad to take on current League Champions Man City ahead of their Premier League encounter on Thursday night, January 5, at Stamford Bridge, Newspremises reports.
Chelsea are currently on a horrendous run of form, winning just one Premier League game in their last seven games.
Last Sunday’s match between Chelsea and relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest ended in a dismal 1-1 draw.
The outcome delivered the west Londoners, who are presently ranked 10th in the rankings with 25 points, a devastating setback in their top-four pursuit.
Chelsea team news
For their match against Man City, Potter will be missing at least six crucial players, including Reece James, Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana, Armando Broja, and Edouard Mendy.
James and Chilwell are anticipated to miss close to a month of action as they work their way back to fitness, according to the Evening Standard.
Fofana and Mendy, though, might return as soon as the following week, and Kante, who underwent hamstring surgery, is anticipated to return in February.
Predicted starting XI
Kep Arrizabalaga is expected to start between the sticks in the absence of Mendy, with Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly providing cover at the heart of defence.
A recall to the midfield is expected for Mateo Kovacic, with the Croatian set to partner with the emerging Denis Zakaria.
Christian Pulisic can feel confident holding his place on the left flank, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the goal hunt.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Kepa; Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Kovacic, Zakaria; Sterling, Mount, Pulisic; Aubameyang
