Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side host Frank Lampard‘s Chelsea Saturday in what could essentially be a Premier League title chase elimination match. A draw would probably help keep both teams alive, but if there’s a loser, they are in deep trouble as they already behind Leicester City, in addition to league leading Liverpool.
Both of these sides have already lost to the table toppers, further lessening their chances of getting back into the race for the top. What’s really interesting about this match is how, on paper, it is the Premier League weekend’s blockbuster fixture, but it isn’t the headliner anymore. The return of Jose Mourinho to the PL, now leading Tottenham Hotspur, has made 14th place Spurs visiting 16th place West Ham United now the most anticipated match of the weekend.
Turning to the team news, Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson returned to training yesterday, having overcome a muscular issue and he will face Chelsea tomorrow.
City will definitely be without Bernardo Silva, who is suspended due to a post he made on social media. The reigning treble holders will also be without their cadre of stellar long term injury absentees.
Turning over to Chelsea, winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is unlikely to feature because of a hamstring issue but midfielder Jorginho is back in the mix having returned from suspension. Young American (apologies to David Bowie) Christian Pulisic is back in training following a hip injury and a rest of international duty with the Stars and Stripes.
Currently one of the most in form players in the league, he is in line to possibly feature.
Chelsea FC at Manchester City FYIs
Kickoff: November 23, 5:30 pm, City of Manchester Stadium
Starting XI Predictions: Chelsea FC Manchester City
Form Guide: Chelsea WWWWW Manchester City LWWWL
Prediction: Manchester City 3, Chelsea FC 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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