Manchester City will play hosts to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg. The Citizens managed to bounce back from that defeat at White Hart Lane by claiming a comfortable 3-1 over Crystal Palace last weekend. However, Spurs will be no push-overs as they are currently playing some of the best football of their season.
Pep Guardiola might opt for a 4-3-3 formation with Bernardo Silva set for a return to first-team action in this midweek encounter.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup To Face Tottenham Hotspur
Defence
Ederson Moraes will start in between the sticks for the Citizens despite failing to keep a clean sheet in his last two outings. The Brazilian shot-stopper might be supported by the dynamic centre-back pairing of John Stones and Aymeric Laporte. Both defenders will need to keep things tight at the back and deal with the threat of Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura.
Kyle Walker will look to cause a few problems for the Tottenham defenders down the right flank. Benjamin Mendy might retain his place at left-back as Fabian Delph is currently injured while Oleksander Zinchenko is also a significant doubt for this contest.
Guardiola’s defenders have conceded two goals in their last two matches so they would need to improve on that record as a goal for Spurs at the Etihad would mean that Man City will have to score three times to secure progression into the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Midfield
The experienced midfield three of David Silva, Fernandinho and Ilkay Gundogan might get a chance to shine for the Citizens at the middle of the pitch. They will try to retain possession in midfield and create some excellent opportunities for the front players in the Spurs half.
Kevin De Bruyne might have to settle for a spot on Guardiola’s bench as he would look to come on and make an impact during the latter stages of this encounter if required.
Attack
Sergio Aguero will spearhead Man City’s attack down the middle while both Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva aims to stretch the pitch on the flanks. Sterling registered a brace against Crystal Palace on Sunday which will give him some confidence heading into this European clash.
Both Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane might be deployed from the bench if the home team require a goal in the second half.
