Premier League 2025-2026: Chelsea-Manchester City, the likely lineups

Chelsea and Manchester City face off at 5:30 p.m. in a decisive Premier League match. Saturday’s defeat by Arsenal revived a league that was believed to be headed for the Gunners, but Guardiola’s team must get back to winning ways at home to the Blues after two consecutive draws with Nottingham and West Ham. At the moment Donnarumma and co. are nine points behind the Londoners, with two games to spare. Chelsea for its part cannot afford a further misstep after three defeats in the last four games, or risk falling out of the European zone: a failure to qualify would be a failure across the board for the Blues.

Rosenior’s men are always lacking in defense players such as James, Chalobah and Colwill, all of whom are injured: Gusto, Fofana, Tosin and Cucurella will play in defense. Median composed ta Caicedo and Santos, in attack Pedro will be supported by Estevao, Palmer and Neto.

Guardiola will not be able to count on Ruben Dias and Gvardiol in defense, and probably also Stones. The two center backs will be Khusanov and Guehi. In attack Haaland with Semenyo, Cherki, Doku behind him, the middies are Rodri and Silva. Between the posts Gianluigi Donnarumma returns.

Chelsea-Manchester City, the probable lineups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Fofana, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Estêvão, Palmer, Neto; Pedro.
Man City (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly; Rodri, Silva; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.