Man City line-up vs Chelsea predicted as Rodri and Jeremy Doku calls made and star drops out

Manchester City host Chelsea today as they look to keep pace with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.

Pep Guardiola has a number of key decisions to make when selecting his Manchester City starting XI for the Premier League clash with Chelsea this evening. City couldn't find the breakthrough at Sunderland in their last outing as they were left frustrated by a determined Black Cats defence.

Today is a chance to get back to winning ways and keep the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the table. Gianluigi Donnarumma will start in goal with Matheus Nunes at right back. Nico O'Reilly has been an ever-present in the City XI in recent months and the stacked schedule looks to be taking its toll on the youngster. He struggled at the Stadium of Light and it might be wise to give him a breather and bring Josko Gvardiol in at left back.

Ruben Dias can continue at centre-back, as can Nathan Ake with Gvardiol filling in on the left. Ake twisted his knee in the opening minutes of the draw with Sunderland but should hopefully be fine to play today.

Rodri made a return to the side on Thursday after Nico Gonzalez went off at half-time having failed to shake off an issue. The extent of Gonzalez's knock is not yet known but it seems unlikely he will play today, meaning Rodri could be handed a start if he's given the green light by City's medical staff. Bernardo Silva can bring the control Guardiola craves in midfield.

Phil Foden hasn't looked at his best in recent weeks after a stunning run of form but City always look a better side with him in the team. Savinho's injury means Jeremy Doku's return to the starting XI may come sooner than expected and Rayan Cherki can start again. Erling Haaland is, of course, the first name on the team sheet.

City predicted XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Silva, Rodri, Foden, Cherki, Doku, Haaland.