Aymeric Laporte and Oleksandr Zinchenko start while Vincent Kompany and Danilo step down to the bench.
Starting XI
City XI: Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Otamendi, Zinchenko, Gundogan, Bernardo, Sane, D Silva (c), De Bruyne, Aguero
Subs: Bravo, Stones, Kompany, Danilo, G Jesus, Yaya Toure, Foden
Formation and tactics
City are likely to go 4-3-3 with Ilkay Gundogan once again anchoring the midfield behind Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva.
Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva will operate down the flanks with Sergio Aguero leading the line.
Chelsea have used Eden Hazard as a ‘false No.9’ in several games.
The visitors may look to flood the midfield in attempt to nullify the threat of Silva and De Bruyne.
Chelsea starting XI:
Chelsea team: Courtois; Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Fabregas, Drinkwater, Alonso; Willian, Hazard, Pedro.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 4, 2018
Subs: Caballero, Cahill, Zappacosta, Emerson, Chalobah, Giroud, Morata. #MCICHE pic.twitter.com/Ws29PUw4ay
Can Blues increase the gap?
Victory over the reigning Premier League champions would increase City’s lead at the top to 18 points – at least until Manchester United play on Monday evening.
It would also further damage Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League and leave the Blues just four wins from the title.
Stats and facts
Chelsea have beaten City more times than any other club during the Premier League era with 24 victories in total.
City are unbeaten at home for 16 months – the last team to win at the Etihad? Chelsea.
City are looking to complete a Premier League double over Chelsea for the first time since the 2009/10 campaign.
Sergio Aguero has scored eight goals in 12 appearances against Chelsea, including five in the last four Premier League games.
This fixture usually produces goals – there has been just one 0-0 in the past 29 meetings.
Aguero needs one more goal to reach 200 for City.
The last time…
