FC Barcelona will be hoping to secure their place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages tomorrow, when they travel to the north of England to take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Barcelona were unplayable during their first meeting this season and the Spanish champions picked up a 4-0 win over Pep Guardiola‘s side at Camp Nou.
Manchester City have been very inconsistent lately and despite their 4-0 win over West Bromduring the weekend, they will need to be very careful against Barcelona. The win over the Baggies was City’s first in six matches. The Premier League side had conceded 9 goals in 5 matches before keeping a clean sheet against West Brom.
This is a vital match for City. They are just one point ahead of Gladbach in the standings and the Germans could overtake them if they lose again.
It will be interesting to see how Guardiola sets up for this game. His men were battered by Barcelona earlier this season and the world class manager might need to change his approach this time.
Vincent Kompany is expected to feature against Barcelona after sitting out the game against West Brom. Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta are still struggling with injuries.
Predicted Manchester City Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Fernando, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Gundogan; Sterling, Nolito, Silva; Aguero
BARCELONA TEAM NEWS & PREVIEW
Barcelona have been in good form lately and will look to add to that with another win over City.
The Catalan giants picked up a 1-0 win over Granada this weekend and will be happy with a similar scoreline here.
Barcelona will want to qualify as the group winners and a victory here would more or less secure that for them. They are already five points clear of second-placed City.
The away side will be well aware of Guardiola’s strengths and weaknesses and will look to punish the inconsistent English side once again.
Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu are both injured. Lucas Digne will replace Jordi Alba at left-back and Rafinha is expected to fill in for the injured Andres Iniesta in midfield.
Predicted Barcelona Starting Lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Roberto, Mascherano, Umtiti, Digne; Rakitic, Busquets, Rafinha; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
MANCHESTER CITY VS BARCELONA KEY STATS
Barcelona have won their last 5 matches against Man City in all competitions.
Barcelona have won 6 of their last 7 matches in the UEFA Champions League.
Manchester City have failed to win 5 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
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