Chelsea line-ups for Manchester City as Alejandro Garnacho and Cole Palmer agreements reached

football.london's Chelsea writers discuss and debate the line-up they would choose for Sunday afternoon's Premier League showdown with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon with title-chasing Manchester City the visitors to Stamford Bridge.

Three weeks on from the Blues' last top-flight outing, a 3-0 defeat at Everton, Liam Rosenior's side are in desperate need of points in their bid to qualify for the Champions League. However, in Man City, they face a team determined to keep applying the pressure on league leaders Arsenal.

While Rosenior went strong in terms of his line-up for last weekend's 7-0 win over Port Vale, the Chelsea head coach is expected to make numerous changes to his XI on Sunday. And with that being said, our Chelsea writers Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss and debate what they would do if they were in Rosenior's shoes.

FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Bobby Vincent

Robert Sanchez in goal, of course. In front of the Chelsea goalkeeper, though, is a bit trickier to decide. Malo Gusto on the right-hand side and Marc Cucurella on the other flank.

In the middle, I'd be tempted to use Jorrel Hato, who has been in brilliant form recently as the left-sided central defender alongside Wesley Fofana. Rosenior might go with Mamadou Sarr but I want to see Hato on the pitch given his recent performances.

Moises Caicedo should return in the middle of the park. Enzo Fernandez remains banned by the club, so it seems to be one of Andrey Santos or Romeo Lavia to partner Caicedo. Personally, I would like to see the latter against his former club.

Estevao Willian should start on the right-hand side - I think that would give everyone inside Stamford Bridge a bit of a lift. Cole Palmer in the No.10 role and Pedro Neto on the left-hand side, with Alejandro Garnacho an option from the bench. Then, of course, Joao Pedro leading the line.

Bobby's XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro

Jake Stokes

Even though Chelsea are set to be without Fernandez and Reece James, Rosenior can still put out a pretty strong line-up at Stamford Bridge this weekend. As it happens, the Blues will be up against a pretty strong opposition, so they'll need to be at their very best to get a result.Sanchez should remain between the sticks as he looks to find his confidence after a shaky start under the Chelsea boss. As for the backline, Rosenior should only make one change, bringing Josh Acheampong in for Tosin Adarabioyo.It's about time that the Cobham graduate is given a chance to cement his place in the starting line-up. Meanwhile, Hato has been enjoying a promising vein of form and he deserves to keep his place in the side, even if means that Cucurella misses out. It's hardly as if the Spaniard has been brilliant recently.With Fernandez unavailable, Caicedo and Santos should start in the pivot. I wouldn't be opposed to Lavia starting too, but this weekend isn't the time for the Blues to be conservative – this is a must-win game.Up top, Estevao should start on the right. In the past, the 18-year-old has been made to play on the left to accommodate others, but he's earned the right to play in his preferred position.It should go without saying that Joao Pedro leads the frontline, with Palmer playing off him. If Chelsea are to beat Manchester City, Rosenior will need the duo to be on the same wavelength.

Jake's XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Acheampong, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro