Pep Guardiola has named an attacking lineup for City’s trip to Chelsea this afternoon.

The Catalan boss has decided to stick with the attacking philosophy that has seen the Blues score a remarkable 21 goals in six league games so far this season. 

Fabian Delph continues at left-back in the absence of Benjamin Mendy, who underwent surgery on Friday in a bid to cure the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and Gabriel Jesus leads the line in place of Sergio Aguero, who is sidelined after a road accident. 

Raheem Sterling and the in-form Leroy Sane will offer width either side of Jesus, with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings from deep.

City starting XI

Ederson, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Delph, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva (c), Sane, Sterling, Jesus

Subs: Bravo, Danilo, Gundogan, Mangala, Bernardo, Zinchenko, Toure

Possible formation

It looks like a 4-3-3 formation, with Fernandinho anchoring the midfield and allowing De Bruyne and Silva freedom to float in midfield.

The attacking triumvirate of Sane, Sterling and Jesus is one of the best young forward lines in Europe, with all three looking in superb form in the opening weeks of the season. 

Chelsea starting XI

Big test

It doesn’t come much more difficult than a trip to the champions.

City have won five and drawn one of their first six league games this season – but today’s game is undoubtedly the biggest test of Guardiola’s new-look side.

The Londoners defeated Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in the Champions League and sit fourth in the Premier League table, three points behind City, after a fine 4-0 win away at Stoke last weekend.

Antonio Conte’s side have recovered brilliantly after their opening-day defeat to Burnley - and they were only side to beat City home and away last season.

Eden Hazard is the dangerman. He has scored three and assisted two in his last five appearances for City, while Alvaro Morata, Chelsea’s summer signing from Juventus, has bagged six goals in his first six Premier League games.

This is an acid test of City title-winning credentials and they will have to be at their best to get a positive result and continue their unbeaten start the campaign.