How Chelsea Will Line Up Against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea return to Premier League action at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon as they welcome Manchester City to a much better atmosphere than the one that hosted last season’s 0-0 draw.

Both sides were in Champions League action this week, and it is the home side who will be happiest having recorded a 3-0 win over Schalke 04 to take them top of Group E. City have certainly improved on their showing in the competition last season and are currently in second place in their group, but their domestic form will concern manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Barring last weekend’s 3-1 win at West Ham their away performances have been poor, and the Blues are well-placed to take advantage of any mistakes.

Fernando Torres’ midweek brace should see him start up front as he continues his rejuvenation under Jose Mourinho. He has not scored in the Premier League since May, but that looks set to change sooner rather than later.

The trio behind the striker will always give Mourinho the biggest headache. 

Eden Hazard has begun to hit his stride, scoring four goals in his last three games for the Blues. Oscar has consistently been the first name on the team sheet this season and leads the club’s Premier League goalscorers with four so far.

Juan Mata drifted in and out of the last league game against Cardiff City and could find himself benched for the visit of City, with Andre Schurrle the most likely replacement.

Mourinho shows no sign of giving up on the Frank Lampard-Ramires pairing in the holding role, but he will have some tough decisions to make at the back.

The Special One has said that he prefers David Luiz to Gary Cahill as a partner for John Terry in the heart of defence despite the Brazilian’s occasional lapses in concentration. However, the attacking threat posed by City should see an all-English centre-half pairing with Luiz to return for next week’s trip to Arsenal.

Ashley Cole did not travel to Germany despite returning to training, and it will be a last-minute decision over his fitness that determines his inclusion in the starting XI. If he is still struggling, even slightly, Cesar Azpilicueta proved himself as a decent replacement at left-back against Schalke and could start on Sunday.

Chelsea will know that they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas against City, and this XI is best placed to increase their advantage to four points on Sunday.