MX23RW : Monday, May 13 10:00:14| >> :60:48:48:
[monks data]
Attendance: 40,571
Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 16
Dec 8, 2018 at 5.30pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

2-0

Kante (45'), Luiz (78')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Combined XI: Chelsea vs. Manchester City

Ahead of Saturday's Premier League showdown between Chelsea and Manchester City, Sports Mole selects a combined XI from the two star-studded squads.

The big matches continue to come thick and fast in December, and this weekend it is the turn of Chelsea and Manchester City to do battle at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea looked like possible title challengers a few short weeks ago, but a dip in form coupled with Man City's relentless run of victories means that a 10-point gap now separates the two sides.

Maurizio Sarri's side are still unbeaten at home this season, though, and know that they could claw themselves back into a potential title race by inflicting a first defeat of the campaign on Pep Guardiola's men.

Here, Sports Mole selects a combined XI from both squads, using only players available for this weekend.



Combined XI: CHE vs. MNC

Chelsea boast the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, but Kepa Arrizabalaga still has work to do to be regarded as the best. Man City's Ederson - himself once the most expensive keeper in football history - is a lot closer to that status than his Chelsea counterpart.

Saturday's hosts are one of few teams who can put up a fight against Man City when it comes to defensive representatives in this side, though. The only clear choice in the back four is Marcos Alonso at left-back given Benjamin Mendy's injury, with his closest competition coming from Fabian Delph.

Guardiola has so far favoured a centre-back partnership of Aymeric Laporte and John Stones for the most part this season, and who are we to argue with the City mastermind? Nicolas Otamendi, Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz also deserve mentions, though, and certainly would not look out of place in this team.

There is more fierce competition at right-back, with Kyle Walker just being pipped to a place in the team by Cesar Azpilicueta. Few would argue that Azpilicueta boasts the better defensive attributes, while he has also assisted two goals this season compared to one goal scored by Walker.

City dominate the team from midfield forward, though, despite Chelsea also possessing some serious quality in the middle of the park. Jorginho has settled nicely into the Premier League and keeps Chelsea ticking over, but Fernandinho is one of the best in the world in his position and provides the base for those in front of him to work their magic.

N'Golo Kante is ordinarily a staple pick for these XIs, but he has not hit his best form in his new position under Sarri, and it is impossible to ignore the dual threat of Bernardo Silva and David Silva, who have directly contributed to 14 league goals between them already this season.

Raheem Sterling has reached that figure on his own this term with eight goals and six assists, and that earns him a place in this team ahead of some stiff competition. Teammates Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez have also been in scintillating form, while Willian and Pedro also deserve a mention, but it is Eden Hazard - scorer of seven goals and creator of six more in the league this term - who takes up residence on the opposite flank.

A fearsome front three is completed by Sergio Aguero, who is a doubt for this match but does have a chance of featuring after two games out. City teammate Gabriel Jesus has been misfiring of late, but he still provides the main competition to lead the line ahead of Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud.

ID:343537: cacheID:343537:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6224:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Raheem Sterling celebrates putting his side back ahead during the Premier League game between Manchester City and Bournemouth on December 1, 2018
Read Next:
How Man City could line up against Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal37275589286186
2Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!