Foden And Mahrez To Start | 3-2-4-1 Manchester City Predicted Starting XI Vs Chelsea | OneFootball

Manchester City could potentially begin their match against Chelsea on Sunday as the Premier League champions if Arsenal suffer a defeat against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. This would mark their fifth title in six years, a remarkable achievement for Pep Guardiola’s side as they inch closer to a historic treble after knocking out Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League earlier this week.

Guardiola will probably opt for a 3-2-4-1 formation and is expected to make a few changes to the starting XI for this contest. Rico Lewis might get the nod over John Stones while Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez push for a start in the attacking third.

3-2-4-1 Manchester City Predicted XI Vs Chelsea

Defence

Ederson will feature in goal for Man City after keeping a clean sheet in his last outing against Real Madrid. Ayemric Laporte should get the nod over Manuel Akanji to form a three-man backline with Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker as they look to keep the Blues at bay throughout the game.

Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez (R) celebrates scoring the team’s fourth goal with Manchester City’s English midfielder Phil Foden during the UEFA Champions League second leg semi-final football match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England, on May 17, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Akanji will be named on the bench to provide cover for the defensive positions.

Midfield

Rodri and Rico Lewis will operate in the central areas as they try to dominate the possession in the middle of the park and shield the back three in defence.

Julian Alvarez and Ilkay Gundogan will operate just ahead of them as they look to engineer enough chances for Man City to win this contest. Riyad Mahrez will operate in the right-wing position while Phil Foden starts on the opposite flank; both will have to provide support from the wide areas and cut into the penalty box to create chances in front of the goal.

Kalvin Phillips and Kevin De Bruyne will have to be content with a spot on the bench and might come on to make an impact in the second half if needed.

Attack

Erling Haaland will again lead the line on the pitch’s attacking third. The Norway international will continue his rich run of form and fancy his chances of finding the back of the net.

3-2-4-1 Manchester City Predicted XI Vs Chelsea