Chelsea make the trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City having put together a six-match winning streak in the Premier League.
Recording maximum points since September 28 has moved the Blues into third position in the standings, one point ahead of Saturday's opponents.
However, Frank Lampard is preparing for the game in the North-West with a number of issues remaining in the treatment room, as well as having a dilemma over which formation to use for one of their toughest tests of the campaign.
Here, Sports Mole predicts how Chelsea could line up for the showdown with the top-flight champions.
Out: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Achilles), Antonio Rudiger (groin),
Doubtful: Ross Barkley (ankle), Christian Pulisic (hip)
While Lampard has frequently used one creative midfielder as part of a three-man combination this season, the Englishman may instead opt to use Jorginho, N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic for a game of this magnitude.
Should Lampard decide on that approach, Mason Mount may drop down to the substitutes' bench, providing that Christian Pulisic has shaken off a hip injury.
Cesar Azpilicueta was rested for the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace before the international break, but the Spaniard should get the nod over Reece James for this match.
Despite Andreas Christensen returning to full fitness, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori are expected to keep their places in the centre of the backline.
Ross Barkley may feature in the squad after an ankle problem, although the playmaker is only likely to make the bench.
> Click here to see how Man City could line up for this match
Darren Plant
