How should Chelsea line up against Manchester City to start the new year right?

Chelsea begin the new year with a home game against COVID-hit Manchester City, though despite a number of absences for Pep Guardiola, including Kyle Walker, Gabriel Jesus, and goalkeeper Ederson, Chelsea’s task won’t be made much easier at all.

City have been in pretty good form, and have collected the same number of points as Chelsea thus far, but in two fewer matches played. If City were to win both of those games, they’d be just one point off the top.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have collected just 4 points from the last 15 on tap, and it remains unclear if the hamstrings of Hakim Ziyech and Reece James are up to task of returning just yet. The former’s absence has been especially keenly felt as the Blues attack has run aground in recent weeks and is increasingly desperate need of some cutting edge.

This is Chelsea’s only Premier League game for over two weeks. No excuses.

Choose wisely.

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