Confirmed Line-Ups: Manchester City vs Chelsea (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Chelsea in their first home fixture of 2026 as they look to return to winning ways at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Blues saw their winning streak end at eight games last weekend as Pep Guardiola and co were held to a goalless draw by a resolute Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light, with Arsenal extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points.

City can ill-afford many more slip ups as they go head-to-head with the formidable Gunners, who underpinned their title credentials with a convincing 4-1 beating of third-placed Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium last week.

The January transfer window is underway and Manchester City are expected to complete the signing of Antoine Semenyo next week, with terms over a deal close to being finalised after extensive negotiations with Bournemouth and the Ghanian forward’s representatives.

City saw Nico Gonzalez and Savinho go off with injuries against Sunderland last week, with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri replacing the former at half-time to make his long-awaited return to action – having barely kicked a ball since he endured a hamstring issue in October.

Jeremy Doku replaced Savinho and made his own comeback after missing four games with an injury he sustained in the days leading to Manchester City’s 3-0 win away at Crystal Palace in mid-December.

Guardiola needs every pair of fit legs he can call upon as John Stones and Oscar Bobb remained absent from the matchday squad against Sunderland, with Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana expected to closely monitor the ongoing market to table further acquisitions beyond Semenyo, who will join Guardiola’s ranks sooner rather than later.

Ahead of Sunday’s 17:30 UK kick-off between Manchester City and Chelsea, here are the confirmed lineups from both dressing rooms at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City

Starting XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Haaland

Substitutes: Trafford, Ake, Doku, Khusanov, McAidoo, Mukasa, Lewis, Mfuni, R. Heskey

Chelsea

Starting XI: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Chalobah, Badiashile, Gusto, James, Fernandez, Estevao, Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro

Substitutes: Slonina, Merrick, Tosin, Hato, Santos, Garnacho, Gittens, Delap, Guiu