Predicted Chelsea XI to face Man City: Lampard makes Sterling decision as Badiashile blow confirmed

Chelsea face Premier League champions Manchester City and will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run to three games.

Man City‘s status as champions was retained and confirmed on Saturday after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, ensuring Pep Guardiola’s side have won the title for the third consecutive season with three games to play.

Frank Lampard has confirmed Chelsea are set to give them a guard of honour ahead of kick-off at the Etihad on Sunday.

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Chelsea have not lost their last two games after a run of six defeats, and will be aiming to avoid a sixth loss in a row to Man City, with their last win coming back in 2021 when Kai Havertz scored the winning goal to clinch the club’s second Champions League triumph.

Lampard warned his players pre-match that they need to prove their worth to incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino in the final three matches, telling Sky Sports: “If you want to stay at Chelsea and you want to impress the new manager, show it in these next three games because for sure, he will be watching.”

So how could Chelsea line-up against Manchester City?

Possible XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Fofana, Silva, Hall, Enzo, Loftus-Cheek, Gallagher, Sterling, Havertz, Madueke

Kepa will be keen to come back into the side after Edouard Mendy was preferred last week against Nottingham Forest.

Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Benoit Badiashile are all ruled out through injury. Lampard has a decision on his hands whether to stick with a four-back or revert to a three at the Etihad.

Lewis Hall is set for more minutes in Chilwell and Cucurella’s absence, while N’Golo Kante remains out. Carney Chukwuemeka was prevented from joining up with the England U20s for the World Cup after midfield injuries and will be keen to get some minutes, which Lampard is hopeful of giving the youngster.

Raheem Sterling returns to his former club after last summer’s £47.5 million transfer. Noni Madueke is eyeing another start following his impressive run in the side.