Jeremy Doku and Nathan Ake in - Man City predicted XI vs Chelsea

Manchester City will look to retain their place at the top of the Premier League when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a game that could be a real banana skin for the champions.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side did not play convincingly in their 4-1 win over nine-man Tottenham on Monday but the result means they have now lost just one of their past seven matches. City also go into the weekend’s game on the back of a win.

Their triumph over Young Boys in midweek secured their place in the Champions League knockouts with two matchdays to spare. A number of players were rested during the fixture, meaning they could well get the nod in the club’s final game before the international break.

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Ederson will undoubtedly start and will be eager to build on his clean sheets tally. He has amassed just five in his 15 games so far, a ratio both he and Pep Guardiola will want to improve given the goalkeeper’s traditionally high standards.

Manuel Akanji was due to start against Young Boys but pulled out during the warm-up after feeling discomfort. And so, despite not featuring at all on Tuesday, he might be left out again having not got up to full speed in training this week.

Nathan Ake could fill the void left by the absent John Stones. With the break coming up, Guardiola has no reason to rest and rotate at full-back so preferred picks Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol could get the nod.

Rodri stayed on the bench in midweek, meaning Chelsea will be facing a fully-energised Spaniard. Bernardo Silva has been in imperious form of late and is keeping out summer signings Mateo Kovacic and