Diego Costa Loses FA Appeal, Will Miss Manchester City Match

Just in time for Manchester City's massive clash with the Premier League leaders, the FA has found Chelsea striker Diego Costa guilty of violent conduct during Chelsea's midweek League Cup match with Liverpool. Costa will be banned for three matches, including tomorrow's showdown at Stamford Bridge.

According to the FA, an independent regulatory commission upheld the ruling against Costa, which was the result of Costa stomping on the leg of Liverpool's Emre Can in Tuesday's League Cup semifinal.

Chelsea will also be without star midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who exited that same League Cup tie with a hamstring injury. While it's no secret that Chelsea have a host of weapons beyond Costa and Fabregas, it can't possibly hurt City to see their Saturday adversaries weakened heading into the most important match of the season thus far.

It appears that Didier Drogba will start for Chelsea in place of Costa. While the 36 year old certainly doesn't boast the same accomplishments as Costa this season, he is still a threat for a Chelsea team replete with attacking talent. Given City's struggles at the back in recent weeks, Manuel Pellegrini's boys have a lot of work to do regardless of the squad Chelsea put onto the field.