Here is a match the champions really have to win. If Liverpool beat Crystal Palace earlier on Saturday Manchester City will be 12 points behind at kick-off and so three points becomes vital against Frank Lampard’s resurgent Chelsea who arrive at the Etihad Stadium a place above Pep Guardiola’s team. The manager has Ederson back following injury and, given his side’s luck with VAR, will hope the contest will be incident-free. Jamie Jackson
Saturday 5.30pm Sky Sports Premier League
Venue Etihad Stadium
Last season Manchester City 6 Chelsea 0
Referee Martin Atkinson
This season G11 Y33 R1 3.09 cards/game
Odds H 1-2 A 5-1 D 4-1
MANCHESTER CITY
Subs from Bravo, Carson, Foden, Doyle, Angeliño, García, Harwood-Bellis, Otamendi, Cancelo, D Silva, Jesus
Doubtful None
Injured Zinchenko (knee, 7 Dec), Sané (knee, Jan), Laporte (knee, unknown)
Suspended B Silva (one match)
Discipline Y24 R1
Form WLWWWL
Leading scorer Agüero 9
CHELSEA
Subs from Caballero, Alonso, Batshuayi, James, Barkley, Gilmour, Hudson-Odoi, Christensen, Pulisic, Pedro, Giroud, Guehi
Doubtful Barkley (ankle), Hudson-Odoi (hamstring), Pulisic (hip)
Injured Rüdiger (groin, 30 Nov), Van Ginkel (knee, Jan), Loftus-Cheek (achilles, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y23 R0
Form WWWWWW
Leading scorer Abraham 10
