Ederson and Benjamin Mendy are back in the City starting XI for the visit of Chelsea, having both missed our last game before the international break against Liverpool.

The duo return as Pep Guardiola makes five changes to the team that lost at Anfield, with Joao Cancelo, David Silva and Riyad Mahrez also coming into the side.

Claudio Bravo, Kyle Walker, Angelino and Ilkay Gundogan drop to bench, while Bernardo Silva is suspended.

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City team

XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy, Rodrigo, Silva (c), De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sterling, Aguero.

Subs: Bravo, Walker, Otamendi, Angelino, Gundogan, Foden, Jesus.

Chelsea team

XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta (c), Zouma, Tomori, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Willian, Abraham, Pulisic.

Subs: Caballero, James, Christensen, Mount, Pedro, Batshuayi, Giroud.

Formation

As always, City will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with the defensive quartet of Cancelo, John Stones, Fernandinho and Mendy tasked with marshalling what’s proven to be a potent Chelsea front line.

The full-backs will no doubt play with an attacking mentality and provide support for Rodrigo, Kevin De Bruyne and captain David Silva in midfield.

Sergio Aguero will lead the attack and he’ll be flanked by Raheem Sterling on the left and Riyad Mahrez on the right, though don’t be surprised to see those two swap sides at various points.

Pep’s pre-match thoughts

“Chelsea in the last many years have been an incredible top team. From the beginning Frank’s team have played really well.

“He is consistent in his ideas. The results are there. I’m happy for him. I don’t know him very well, but a little bit and got info of him here and he is an excellent person.

“Playing the way they play is perfect for English football.”

Last time

Stats

  • City have won five of the past six meetings with Chelsea in all competitions, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
  • Chelsea have lost three of their last four Premier League away games against City.
  • We have scored the most Premier League goals at home this season with 19, while Chelsea have scored the most on the road with 18.
  • Sergio Aguero has scored 10 Premier League goals against Chelsea – more than any other player in the competition. The Argentine has netted eight goals in his last six outings against the Blues, including a hat-trick in a 6-0 win in the corresponding fixture last season.
  • We need one win to reach 400 in the Premier League.