Khusanov may make his debut today

Today, January 25, the 23rd round of the English Premier League (EPL) kicks off, promising excitement for football fans. Among the most anticipated matches, "Manchester City" will host "Chelsea" at the "Etihad" Stadium, while Arsenal, one of the league leaders, faces Wolverhampton away. Meanwhile, "Liverpool", sitting atop the tournament table, will challenge Ipswich.

Khusanov’s debut likely

Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, struggled during the latter part of 2024, leading to a significant drop in the EPL standings. With consecutive defeats and key players sidelined due to injuries, the team has been unable to replicate last season's brilliance. Currently, they are 5th in the table with 38 points, recording 11 wins, 5 losses, and 6 draws in 22 matches. Chelsea, holding 4th place with 40 points, are just ahead of City, adding further intensity to this pivotal match.

Amid the squad's challenges, Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov is expected to make his debut for Manchester City. With central defenders Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Ruben Dias unavailable due to injuries, Khusanov emerges as a prime candidate for the starting lineup. Having gained valuable experience playing for Lens against top French teams like PSG, Marseille, and Lyon, and featuring against Arsenal in last season's Champions League, Khusanov has proven his ability to perform on the big stage. Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence in Khusanov’s readiness for the clash against Chelsea.

Predicted lineups for the match

According to Opta, the predicted lineups for today’s match are as follows:

"Manchester City": Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Khusanov, Akanji, Guardiola, De Bruyne, Kovacic, Gundogan, Grealish, Foden, Haaland.  
"Chelsea": Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella, Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo, Madueke, Neto, Palmer, Jackson.

Importance of the result

A victory for Manchester City could significantly impact the standings. With 41 points, they would overtake Chelsea for 4th place, reigniting their championship hopes. Such a result would also boost Khusanov’s confidence, as a debut victory is often pivotal for a player’s morale.

Conversely, a Chelsea win would propel them to 43 points, extending their lead over City and marking a strong step toward the title race. This match, therefore, holds high stakes for both teams and their ambitions for the season.