Pochettino Gets Clever: Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City for April 20

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City in FA Cup

How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently

Djordje Petrović has been the first-choice shot-stopper with Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, and Trevoh Chalobah being the main options in defense. Moisés Caicedo and Conor Gallagher has been used as the pivot in the absence of regular starter Enzo Fernández.

Cole Palmer has moved from the right wing into a more central position allowing for Noni Madueke and Mykahilo Mudryk to start on the wings. Palmer has also played on the right with Gallagher occupying the middle. Nicolas Jackson has played as the lone striker.

Chelsea Recent Form and Tactics

Mauricio Pochettino has utilised a 4-2-3-1 for the majority of the season. Despite the volatility of the results, his team are undefeated since losing the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool, beating teams like Manchester United along the way. In previous matches against Pep Guardiola, Pochettino has been creative with the recent outing seeing Jackson move out left as Palmer moved more central to press.

A clean sheet against Everton marked the first time the defence had kept an opponent blank since January 26. This defensive solidity will have to remain intact if they hope to overcome Manchester City. What will give fans hope is that the Blues have been in fine goalscoring form, netting 18 times in their last five outings.

Chelsea Injuries to Consider

The latest injury update provided by the club will be met with a positive reception from the fanbase as a few players have returned to fitness. Raheem Sterling, Disasi, and Fernández are all available for selection after the latter two missed the win over the Toffees. Sterling meanwhile has missed multiple games with illness. Christopher Nkunku and Robert Sanchez are in partial training but likely won’t be fit to play any part.

Reece James, Levi Colwill, Lesley Ugochukwu, Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia are all still ruled out with the latter being shut down for the season.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City

Pochettino has yet to use a standard lineup when taking on Guardiola this season and this could continues with Sterling likely not being fit to play 90 minutes. That could force some changes as Cucurella at left-back, or Chilwell if fit enough, will need defensive help.

GK – Djordje Petrović

LB – Marc Cucurella

CB – Thiago Silva

CB – Axel Disasi

RB – Malo Gusto

DM – Moisés Caicedo

DM – Enzo Fernández

AM – Nicolas Jackson

AM – Noni Madueke

AM/ST – Conor Gallagher

ST – Cole Palmer