Manchester City host league leaders Chelsea on Saturday as the two sides test their title credentials against a fellow contender.

Pep Guardiola’s City temporarily reached the summit of the division with a 2-1 victory over Burnley last week, only for Antonio Conte’s Blues to regain top spot following their win over Tottenham in the late kick-off.

Nonetheless, both teams go into Saturday’s game in fine form in what looks set to be a thrilling contest at the Etihad Stadium.

The hosts have won three of their last four Premier League games but have failed to win at home in the league since September 17, with draws against Everton, Southampton, and Middlesbrough frustrating the Manchester club.

Meanwhile, the Blues are on a sensational run which has seen them win their last seven league games, with Christian Eriksen’s strike last weekend the first goal they conceded in the league since September 24.

Victories over Manchester United, Everton, and Tottenham have underlined Chelsea’s title credentials, but they face their biggest test of the season at the Etihad on Saturday knowing that a win would take them four points clear of Guardiola’s men.

However, a victory for the hosts would take them above Conte’s men to the summit, and Guardiola may be tempted into making a few changes to the side that won at Burnley last weekend.

Thus, here are THREE players who should be dropped for the visit of Chelsea…

Aleksandar Kolarov

One of Guardiola’s biggest decisions will be who to play at left-back, with it likely that Gael Clichy will remain there for the visit of Chelsea.

The Frenchman is quick and particularly strong in the tackle, and would probably provide a more regular overlap option down the left-hand-side than Aleksandar Kolarov.

Ultimately though, Clichy is a better defender than Kolarov which means that, unless the Serbian international plays at centre-back again like he did against Burnley, he’ll drop out of the starting line-up.

It’s expected that John Stones will return to the starting eleven, and Guardiola is not going to drop Nicolas Otamendi, who has arguably been City’s best defender this season.

Chelsea are on a roll, and City will need their best back four on the pitch to deal with their numerous attacking threats – their best backline does not include Kolarov.

Fernando

It will be interesting to see how Guardiola lines up on Saturday, and whether or not he plays two holding midfielders or the 4-1-4-1 formation that has served them well at times this season.

Nevertheless, in either system, there is no room for Fernando.

The Brazilian international proved in their 2-0 defeat against Spurs in October that he’s not up to it in the big games, and with Yaya Toure hitting form and Ilkay Gundogan making a good start to his City career, they are better options in that central midfield area.

Fernandinho will play, but don’t expect to see his compatriot alongside him at the Etihad this weekend.

Nolito

Nolito has started City’s last two Premier League games, at the expense of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, but should make way for the duo on Saturday.

Guardiola needs his best attacking options to break down a Chelsea defence who have conceded one goal in seven Premier League matches – the only goal they’ve conceded in the league since they move to a back three.

Silva is technically as good as anyone in the Premier League, and can still create opportunities even if he hasn’t got much time in the middle, and it’s been proven on a few occasions this season that City look and play better with De Bruyne in the team.

The Belgian international would relish another chance to prove to the Blues what they missed out on by letting him go a few years ago, and the Premier League’s top assister should return to the line-up, alongside Silva.