Manchester City face Chelsea for the second time in three days today in the FA Cup as the Blues look to defeat Graham Potter’s side for the third time this season. With the Manchester derby on the horizon next Saturday and a trip to St Mary’s for the Quarter-Final of the Carabao Cup next Wednesday, it will be interesting to see how Pep Guardiola lines up the City team.
Here is my predicted XI to try and get City into the fourth round:
GK: Stefan Ortega
City’s designated cup goalkeeper had a standout Man of the Match performance against the same opposition in November. Ortega will look to keep up his impressive form when given a chance and try to stake a claim to be City’s number one.
RB: Kyle Walker
It is imperative that Walker gets more minutes in his legs, especially after the poor showing from the right-back in the first half of Thursday’s Premier League fixture that saw the Englishman hooked at half-time. City will need Walker’s experience and maturity later on in the season for key knockout fixtures, so getting him up to optimum match fitness is massive.
CB: Manuel Akanji
A positive display from the bench from Akanji will give the Switzerland international a major confidence boost after a few mediocre showings in recent games. Akanji had a major part to play in creating City’s only goal last time out, drilling a pass into Rico Lewis and breaking Chelsea’s first line of press.
CB: Aymeric Laporte
Fantastic news yesterday saw the Spaniard return to training and I’m hopeful Laporte can continue his form as the centre-back was near flawless before picking up a knock that saw City’s number 14 miss the Everton and Chelsea games. Laporte’s distribution on the ball and ability to sense danger and cut out counter-attacks are key in beating Chelsea’s press, instigating attacks and maintaining defensive stability.
LB: Joao Cancelo
Similar to Walker previously, Cancelo needs more minutes in the tank and his poor performance against Chelsea in Thursday’s game was in no way a reflection of his true ability as the Portuguese was the biggest victim of the system change for Guardiola and thrust onto the right-wing with little to no help. Cancelo will be City’s main creative threat if Kevin De Bruyne is to be rested by Guardiola.
CDM: Kalvin Philips
Rodri has played an insane amount of minutes this season, and Philips hasn’t suffered an injury since returning in November. Hopefully, the issues of the former Leed’s man’s fitness and being ‘overweight’ are fully behind him now and Philips can concentrate on being a key member of the City squad and carving out a future at the Etihad. With Guardiola already confirming Philips will start in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Southampton, perhaps only 60 minutes or so will be necessary in order to build the England international’s match sharpness.
CM: Bernardo Silva
Kevin De Bruyne needs a rest, and the Belgian maestro’s creativity and ability to unlock a defence are unparalleled. Bernardo needs to step up and influence the game more in an attacking sense. If Philips is lacking energy and cannot cover the distance necessary to cut out attacks and sweep up, Bernardo can drop deep and form a midfield pivot with the Englishman.
CM: Jack Grealish
The inclusion of Grealish as a left-sided 8 is primarily something I want to see as a fan, not necessarily what I think Guardiola will go for. However, Grealish’s best attributes are carrying the ball from central areas, roaming and picking up half-spaces to occupy defenders and allow space for others. Grealish’s best form as a footballer was in the 20/21 season when the Englishman could roam freely and create chances from deep areas allowing his ball-carrying abilities to truly shine. I know I’m being optimistic when thinking Guardiola would tweak his system to allow Grealish to have that same freedom he had at Aston Villa, but I feel being deployed as a number 8 would be his best position long term.
RW: Cole Palmer
Another chance for the 20-year-old to shine. Hopefully, Palmer is deployed in his favoured position on the right-wing in order to see the best of the youngster. Palmer’s willingness to attack his marker and ability to go down the flank and cut inside give the winger a sense of unpredictability. I predict Palmer to be a difference-maker in today’s game.
ST: Julian Alvarez
The first start for the newly crowned World Champion and an opportunity to give talisman Erling Haaland a rest. Alvarez will be fully ready to go and make an impact and show Guardiola that he deserves to start with Haaland in the future. The striker’s ability to run the channel, selflessness when creating space for teammates and clinical finishing ability in the box make him a lethal option and I fully expect the Argentinian to find himself on the scoresheet.
LW: Phil Foden
City fans will be hoping Foden’s no-show in Thursday’s Premier League fixture against the same opposition will be just a bad day at the office. Foden still possesses immense potential and the ability to single-handedly turn a game on its head. However, I believe the winger hasn’t had a fantastic game for the Blues since the demolition of Manchester United in early October. Let’s hope Foden can be the catalyst in today’s game and send City through to the fourth round.
Substitutes:
Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Haaland, Mahrez
Prediction:
Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea
Alvarez(1), Foden(1)