Sarri said: "It will be really very difficult to be in control of the match. The match is there (in midfield), more than in the strikers."

Jorginho has made the most passes in the Premier League this season (2,219; no assists), while Fernandinho is key for City, allowing his flashier team-mates to flourish.

Sarri, though, is adamant stopping Chelsea is not as simple as nullifying Jorginho, who followed him to Stamford Bridge from Napoli; likewise with Fernandinho and City.

"They are able to play if you stop Fernandinho and also we're able to play if you stop Jorginho," Sarri added.

"We have options. Maybe they have more options than us because they have worked on this for three seasons.

"But I remember that in Naples it wasn't a big problem if there was a man on Jorginho, so I hope it will be the same here in the future."

The battle for possession will be an intriguing one, with City accustomed to having their own way, especially at home, where they have scored 43 goals in 13 league games.

Sarri added: "I expect Guardiola's team want to always be in control of the match, always in possession of the ball and they're able to do it. So it's a very difficult match.

"We are used to having the ball and possession so on Sunday it will be very different.

"We will try to play our football, but if they are able to play their football, of course, you have to stay lower (deeper)."

Chelsea are unbeaten in seven fixtures against defending champions, having ended City's 21-match unbeaten run in the league on December 8.

That came as a surprise to many, with Sarri on Friday admitting his side were "lucky" in the win, built on strong defence and taking goalscoring opportunities, through N'Golo Kante and David Luiz.

Strikers were conspicuous by their absence that day, with Hazard deployed as Chelsea's 'false nine'.

Higuain's arrival has reduced the likelihood of Hazard being required to lead the line, but Sarri refused to rule out that possibility at the Etihad Stadium.

He added: "The situation is not like the other match, so I can decide something different or have a 'false nine'."

There has been a nine-goal swing in Chelsea's last two performances.

A 4-0 loss at Bournemouth – Chelsea's worst in the Premier League since September 1996 – was followed by a 5-0 win over bottom club Huddersfield, when Higuain and Hazard each scored twice.

Sarri expressed hope, rather than conviction, that Chelsea will be at their best at City.

"Now we know very well we need consistency. I hope our version on Sunday will be the best," he added.

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