(Football news) Manchester City could be crowned Premier League champions if they defeat Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The Blues, who have had a very disappointing season this time around have already lost to the Citizens three times and will desperately hope for a result. Pep Guardiola’s side have the opportunity to replicate their rivals’ treble accomplishment from 24 years ago, with the first of the three trophies possibly being achieved this weekend. 

Nobody would have predicted that Chelsea would be 42 points behind City at this stage of the season, which will be their first bottom half finish in the Premier League since 1995/96. The Blues have failed to win their last 14 Premier League games against teams that have started the day above them at the table and have a terrible record at the Etihad Stadium, losing six out of their last seven visits. However, Lampard’s Everton did manage to draw against City 1-1 on New Year’s Eve and his Chelsea side will need to show similar resilience to get any result out of the fixture.

In team news for City, Aymeric Laporte could replace either Akanji or Kyle Walker while Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez could feature in the starting lineup. In-form midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne are expected to start behind Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland. As for Chelsea, Benoit Badiashile is injured alongside Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, Mason Mount and Armando Brora. Kalidou Koulibaly and Mateo Kovacic are doubtful for the match and will be assessed before kickoff. 

Lampard will have to decide whether to stick with Edouard Mendy or replace him with Kepa Arrizabalaga while Wesley Fofana could replace Badiashile in the starting lineup. The Blues could switch to a back three which would include Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah while Kai Havertz, Joao Felix, Noni Madueke, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Hakim Ziyech will all battle for a place in the final third alongside Raheem Sterling.

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte; Stones, Rodri; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland

Chelsea possible starting lineup:

Kepa; Chalobah, Silva, W. Fofana; Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Fernandez, Gallagher, Hall; Sterling, Havertz

Also read: Marcus Rashford doubtful for Manchester United’s trip to Bournemouth due to illness