A 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the Premier League season was seen as a statement of intent by reigning champions Manchester City.
“Here we go again…” many cried.
City started the 2024/25 campaign with five straight wins but their world has been turned upside down since midfield lynchpin Rodri suffered a torn ACL. Their miserable run to end 2024 means City are out of the title race and just hoping to secure a Champions League spot for next season.
There was an increase in the new year, but their the last defeat against Paris Saint-Germain displayed the familiar weaknesses that have undermined City's campaign to this point.
They take over Chelsea this weekend with the aim of bouncing back from Wednesday's loss and potentially reclaiming a top four spot. This is the team that Guardiola could choose for the visit of the Blues.
GK: Stefan Ortega – Ederson struggled mightily with the ball last time out, so it would be no surprise to see Ortega recalled this weekend.
RB: Rico Lewis – Kyle Walker is linked with Milan and Matheus Nunes continues to look uncomfortable on the right wing. Lewis was excellent in the opposite game, and he should start at right-back on Saturday.
CB: Manuel Akanji – Akanji played a major role in the townopening Wednesday before things took a turn. Amid the upheaval of the club's center back depth chart this season, Akanji has been a reliable constant.
CB: John Stones – Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake are both doubts, so there could be a return to the starting line-up for Stones. City conceded just seconds after the Englishman entered the fray on Wednesday night.
LB: Josko Guardiol With Stones back, Guardiol could remain on the left side of defence.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – The best of Ilkay Gundogan Gundogan has fallen behind Mateo Kovacic in the midfield pecking order, but the Croatian ball-carrier was poor in midweek and could drop out of the starting XI as City face his former club.
CM: Bernardo Silva – The City man could do with a breather, but Guardiola apparently believes his team cannot function without Bernardo's hustle and bustle. He has generally settled into a deeper midfield role of late.
RM: Phil Foden – Foden's season has been on fire over the past two weeks, with the England superstar making it six in six before City travel to the French capital. His rise in form has been essential at Cityzens Premier League production.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne – De Bruyne may no longer be so ruthless, but he can still hang with the best at the highest level. The Belgian has played a major role in recent weeks as City's attacking production has improved. Omar Marmoush is an option to provide respite from the bench.
LM: Savinho – Jack Grealish was involved in both goals on Wednesday, but Guardiola is likely to stick with the in-form Savinho against the Blues.
ST: Erling Haaland – Haaland opened City's account for the season at Stamford Bridge and he has re-emerged as a reliable goalscorer in 2025 as he aims to win a third. The Golden Shoe continuously.