Chelsea vs. Man City: Confirmed Lineups, Predicted Starting 11, and Team News - Potential Debutants under Maresca

The reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City, are set to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in what promises to be an exciting showdown between two of the 'Big Six' clubs in England.

Pep Guardiola's side ran out winners vs. Manchester United in the Community Shield last weekend and are looking to build on that victory and head into the new campaign with some momentum.

Enzo Maresca is set to take charge of his first Premier League game as Blues boss since his move from Leicester City. 

Below are the predicted lineups and the latest team news for the two sides.

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Pedro Neto, who joined from Wolves for £54 million, is aiming to make his debut, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a former standout under Maresca at Leicester, is also set for his first competitive appearance.

Reece James is sidelined with a four-match suspension carried over from last season and a hamstring injury that could keep him out until September. Conor Gallagher, who captained in James' absence last year, is training with the Under-21s amid a potential move to Atletico Madrid.

Nicolas Jackson returned from ankle issues in pre-season against Inter Milan, and Axel Disasi was back on the bench with Wesley Fofana making his first appearance in over a year.

Chelsea predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella — Fernandez, Caicedo — Neto, Palmer, Mudryk — Jackson.

Injured: Reece James

Suspended: Reece James

Phil Foden, John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Rodri missed last weekend's Community Shield victory due to an extended break following their participation in the Euro 2024 final. They returned to training this week, leaving Mateo Kovacic likely to start in midfield against Chelsea, and Rico Lewis could remain at right-back if Walker isn’t ready. 

City will be without Oscar Bobb, who fractured his fibula in training and is expected to be sidelined for up to four months. Bernardo Silva, who scored in the Community Shield, is expected to start, with Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland also set to feature. Savinho may replace Bobb on the right wing.

Man City predicted XI (4-1-4-1 right to left): Ederson (GK) — Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol — Kovacic — Savinho, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Doku — Haaland.

Injured: Oscar Bobb, Rodri, Jack Grealish (doubt)

Suspended:

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