Match preview: The key decisions ahead of Manchester City vs Chelsea

After wins for the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal yesterday, the pressure is on both Manchester City and Chelsea to get a result in this afternoon’s big match in the Premier League.

The Champions have the chance to return to the top of the table with a win, while the Blues can regain their spot in the top four. Defeat for either could have a huge bearing in the race for the title and the Champions League respectively.

With that in mind, both coaches will know that they have some big decisions to make, with Maurizio Sarri getting the better of his opposite number in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, the visitors will almost undoubtedly make at least one change from their shock win in December, with Gonzalo Higuain leading the line after Eden Hazard was given the responsibility in the 2-0 victory.

It’s a similar story for Pep Guardiola, who will no doubt start with Sergio Aguero up front after Raheem Sterling did so in the Argentine’s absence in the capital, and the battle of the two international teammates set to lead the line for their respective sides will be key.

The inclusions of both are near guaranteed, however, with both teams having one real dilemma on their hands ahead of kick-off.

For City, it’s who starts at the back, with Aymeric Laporte asked to play on the left of a back four against Everton last time out. The Frenchman has been a near ever present for the Citizens this season, which can’t be said of the rest of the defenders at the club.

Fabian Delph is available to return to the side having been left out altogether last weekend, while the likes of Danilo and Oleksandr Zinchenko could also come in to allow Laporte to return to his natural position. Any such move would mean either John Stones or Nicolas Otamendi would likely drop out of the side, with the former generally preferred this season.

That’s despite the fact that City have dropped just two of 30 available points when the England international has not started, compared to 14 of 48 when he has. Moreover, Guardiola’s side have conceded close to double the number of goals per game (0.94) when Stones has started compared to when he hasn’t (0.5). Otamendi has had a more positive influence on results by comparison, with the team winning 11 of the 12 matches that he has played in the league.

As far as the visitors to the Etihad are concerned, the big decision is likely to be whether to start Mateo Kovacic or Ross Barkley in the midfield three alongside Jorginho and N’Golo Kante.

The Croatia international has got the nod more often than not, starting 16 league games, but the Blues have generally fared better without him. While it’s true that Kovacic has tended to start against the stronger sides in the division, Chelsea’s win rate with him is a modest 50 per cent, dropping 20 points and boasting a modest goal difference of +4.

By comparison, the team’s goal difference is +18 from the nine matches Kovacic has not started, winning seven times and losing just once. Meanwhile, Ross Barkley is yet to taste defeat in his eight league starts, with Chelsea dropping only two points in said games. In those matches Sarri’s side have scored 22 goals and conceded just three.

The England international started the comprehensive 5-0 win over Huddersfield last time out but has done so against a top half side just once all season, way back in August against Arsenal. Whether or not he’s done enough to earn Sarri’s faith in such a big game is perhaps the biggest decision to be made in what could well be a decisive match for both teams.