Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush all in contention as Dias and Doku miss out
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 5.30pm, Saturday 25th January 2025
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee: John Brooks Assistants: S Bennett, D Robathan Fourth Official: L Smith VAR: N Davies
Odds: City 11/10, Draw 3/1, Chelsea 9/4
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ortega, Ederson, Ortega, Stones, Reis, Gvardiol, Akanji, Khusanov, Simpson-Pusey, Lewis, Kovacic, Grealish, De Bruyne, Silva, Nunes, Foden, Marmoush, Haaland, Savinho
Injured: Rodri, Dias, Doku, Bobb, Ake
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Form guide: LWDWW
Chelsea
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
Squad (from): Sanchez, Jorgensen, Bettinelli, Disasi, Cucurella, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Chilwell, Chalobah, James, Gusto, Fernandez, Palmer, Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo, Neto, Madueke, Felix, Jackson, Nkunku, Sancho
Injured: Fofana, Badiashile, Lavia, Kellyman
Doubtful: Colwill, Fernandez
Suspended: Mudryk
Form guide: WDWDL
New signings Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush all come into the squad for the visit of top-four rivals Chelsea. However, Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku miss out through injury.
It is unknown whether any of the trio will start on Saturday, but manager Pep Guardiola said that his new signings are settling in well.
“We didn’t train much because we travelled, games, travel so we didn’t make a training session all together. he said at Friday's press conference.
“Omar Marmoush was the first and the other ones trained a little bit but not all together. But they’re fine, Vitor is young, has a huge personality but needs time.
“Khusanov is already settled for the fact of playing in the French league and handling tough, fast players. He doesn’t speak much English, more French, so communication will one of the situations we have to deal with.
“And Omar, yesterday was the first training session and I think he’ll adapt quickly.”
City drew their last home game against Chelsea 1-1, with Rodri scoring for the hosts. Overall City have won 67 of the 179 games played against the Blues, with 41 draws and 71 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Akanji, Stones, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Savinho, Haaland
Score prediction: City 2 Chelsea 2