How Manchester City could line up against Chelsea

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has been dealt a pair of fresh defensive concerns ahead of Sunday's headline Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Citizens lost both of Manuel Akanji and John Stones to injuries in their midweek Champions League beating of Young Boys, as the former withdrew from the starting lineup at the last minute due to a back issue.

Akanji has trained and could be available, but Stones was hooked during the break owing to another thigh injury, which Guardiola has conceded should keep the England international out of action for a while.

In addition, left-back Sergio Gomez is not expected to return until the end of the month due to a sprained ankle, while ex-Chelsea man Kevin De Bruyne is still on the long road to recovery from a hamstring issue.

With Akanji potentially not being risked, former Blues defender Nathan Ake should make his Stamford Bridge homecoming in a backline also comprising Ederson, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, who was heavily linked with a move to West London last year.

Kyle Walker ought to line up on the right-hand side if that is the case, with Jeremy Doku bombing down the left after contributing to five of City's six goals in last weekend's crushing of Bournemouth.

Another former Blue in Mateo Kovacic is primed to link arms with Rodri in the centre of the field, most likely with Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez operating just ahead of the duo.

Despite only lasting 45 minutes against Bournemouth due to an ankle issue, Erling Haaland made a rapid recovery to start and score a brace against Young Boys, and he will seemingly be fine to spearhead the charge in West London.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Walker, Rodri, Kovacic, Doku; Silva, Alvarez; Haaland

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