10 players set to miss Chelsea vs Man City after Pep Guardiola update

Chelsea and Manchester City go into Sunday's crucial Premier League showdown with both managers dealing with selection problems as key players remain unavailable.

Chelsea and Manchester City meet in a crucial Premier League encounter on Sunday afternoon after Pep Guardiola's side were handed a major boost when Arsenal slipped to a 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth. Nine points separate the teams, but City can cut the gap to six with a win before hosting the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium next weekend.

Guardiola's side also have another game in hand against Crystal Palace. With the season entering its decisive weeks, this is another must‑win match for City, though the manager will again be without a fully fit squad as players remain sidelined through injury.

Ruben Dias and John Stones were both omitted from the matchday squad when the Cityzens took on Liverpool in the FA Cup last weekend. Josko Gvardiol has been sidelined since January after sustaining a tibial fracture to his right leg.

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Speaking to the media ahead of the trip to west London, Guardiola gave an update on Dias, who has been managing a muscle injury.

"He's getting better. He's not ready for Sunday," said the Spaniard.

On Stones, Guardiola said: "Today maybe he will do partial training, we'll see."

And on Gvardiol, he confirmed: "He's getting better, but still he isn't close."

On the other hand, Chelsea desperately require a positive result having suffered defeat in four of their last five outings. Liam Rosenior's team thrashed Port Vale 7-0 in their most recent fixture, yet remain sixth in the top-flight standings and risk failing to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.

They presently trail fifth-placed Liverpool by four points following Saturday's win over Fulham for Arne Slot's side, with that position guaranteeing entry into Europe's premier competition. Chelsea will be without numerous players for their meeting with title-contending City this weekend.

Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill are all unavailable, with Rosenior offering an update on the trio during his pre-match press conference. Rosenior said: "Trevoh is working really, really hard. He is back on the pitch.

"Levi is in full training but still needs to overcome some hurdles in terms of selection. Reece has been running today, which is great, but no, I've got a good squad and we're ready to go and take on Man City."

Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez will be absent following his remarks during the international break regarding a potential transfer to Real Madrid. Rosenior has maintained that Chelsea possess the capability to defeat City despite the absence of Fernandez and his sidelined colleagues.

He added: "I've got an outstanding squad, full of outstanding players. It's still a very difficult team to pick in terms of the starting eleven. I need to get that right in the coming days."

Jamie Gittens, Filip Jorgensen and Mykhailo Mudryk are also set to be absent for Chelsea.