It’s going to be a close-knit affair at the top of the Premier League this season if the table right now is anything to go by, but the Manchester City fans here in the pub are well up for the fight.
The Sky Blues are still there or thereabouts at the top of the division and after a tight win over Burnley on Saturday, they’ve kept pace with their fellow frontrunners.
It was a game that, at times, was missing that star quality we’ve seen so often from this City side but nonetheless, it’s a result that could prove to be massive come the end of the season.
As the old cliche goes, it’s important that potential title winners win even when they don’t play well.
Even our United-mad landlord gave his admiration at the result, especially considering City really didn’t play that well at all at Turf Moor on the day.
But with a huge game against Chelsea coming up this Saturday, how exactly should Pep line up his troops for one of the biggest games of the season so far?
Here’s the starting XI we think will destroy Chelsea this weekend…
GK: Claudio Bravo
Much has been made of City’s goalkeeping situation this season, but it seems Claudio Bravo is very much the No.1 man going forward.
He’s improved already since the start of the campaign and if he can stay strong between the sticks, City will only get better and better.
RB: Bacary Sagna
With two very good options at right-back, it always seems to be a toss-up between Sagna and Zabaleta in the City ranks these days.
However, we’ve gone with the Frenchman because we think he gives that little bit extra going forward.
CB: John Stones
Rested for the clash as Turf Moor, John Stones will have the unenviable task of man-marking a certain Diego Costa at the Etihad.
Having been a huge target of Chelsea’s in 2015, the England international will be under huge pressure by the Blues’ powerful frontline, who’d be all too eager to pounce on any mistakes.
CB: Nicolas Otamendi
Argentinian international Nicolas Otamendi started the game against Burnley and looked solid enough.
He’s a man with heaps of Champions League experience and should be able to do a good job against Chelsea, who will pose a far sterner test than the Clarets did this weekend.
LB: Gael Clichy
City regular Gael Clichy is still dominating proceedings on the left-hand side of the City defence and that’s how we’re expecting it to stay for the short-term future at least.
He offers a solid and pacy option on the flank and few break him down with real ease.
Will have to be on his toes against Chelsea though, who have a whole wealth of attacking talent in their side.
CM: Yaya Toure
He’s back in the City first-team after a long spell on the sidelines and you can’t doubt Pep has made the right call in bringing him back.
He offers this City midfield so much muscle and power and the decision to leave him on the sidelines might prove to be a very big one indeed.
CDM: Fernandinho
There are few players in the Premier League that offer such stability in the middle-of-the-park as Fernandinho does for Manchester City.
Alongside Fernando and Yaya Toure, Chelsea might have real trouble breaking through their midfield lines which could be the route to winning for the Citizens.
CM: Fernando
Former Porto favourite Fernando continues to be a real favourite at Manchester City and like his midfield partner Fernandinho, he’s just so solid in midfield.
He might not offer the best option going forward but as a player that just sits and protects the defence, you’re really not going to get much better in the division than him.
RW: Raheem Sterling
Was brought off in the game against Burnley after receiving some very tough treatment indeed but he’s expected to be back in the first-team for the game against Chelsea next weekend.
He offers so much pace and directness on the City flank and when he’s on his game, he can be a real game-changer for the Citizens.
ST: Sergio Aguero
There’s only one man that is fit to lead the line for City right now and that’s Sergio Aguero, who has been absolutely fantastic for the Blues this campaign.
Season-after-season he delivers upfront and there really are few strikers that guarantee goals quite like the Argentine.
LW: Kevin De Bruyne
We’d love to see Kevin De Bruyne start in this forward line in the game against Chelsea this Saturday.
The Belgian might not be blessed with electric pace like others in this City squad but you can’t doubt his not one of the most talented players in the division.
He’ll have the bit between his teeth in a game against his former employers too.
