The Blues face the short trip across London to Wembley Stadium, where the 6-0 drubbing dealt to them by City earlier this month in the Premier League remains a harrowing recent memory that Maurizio Sarri’s side will be urgently hoping to overcome.
A victory would not only see Chelsea lift their first trophy under the guidance of Sarri, but it would also be a maiden major accolade for the Italian boss.
Ahead of Chelsea’s first appearance in a final of this competition since winning it four years ago against Tottenham Hotspur, here is who we believe will start for the Blues tomorrow.
Predicted line-up: (4-3-3) Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz, Emerson; N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Ross Barkley; Willian, Gonzalo Higuain, Eden Hazard
Predicted substitutes: Willy Caballero, Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Olivier Giroud
After missing out of Thursday’s Europa League win over Malmo with a hamstring injury, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga will be hoping to return for the final, where he will be aiming to emulate the clean sheet he kept against City the Sky Blues in the league in December.
A strong performance from Emerson against Malmo could have earned him a starting spot in the final ahead of Marcos Alonso at left-back. Meanwhile, David Luiz is set to return to the fold in place of Andreas Christensen, having been spared in midweek. Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger are also likely to keep their places, making up the remainder of the back four.
Jorginho also sat out of the convincing Thursday win over the Swedish side, meaning he could replace Mateo Kovacic as the midfield metronome, with N’Golo Kante and Ross Barkley partnering him.
Pedro’s struggles with stomach cramp could rule him out altogether, allowing a starting place for Willian on the right-wing, whilst the absent Thursday duo of Gonzalo Higuain and Eden Hazard are likely to also spearhead Sarri’s front-line.
City have shown this season the attacking dangers they can possess and at the home of English football, they won’t take Chelsea lightly.