Manchester City will be clocking up the air miles as they prepare to book their place in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a positive result against German side- Borussia Monchengladbach. City were comfortable 4-0 winners in the reverse leg but many people believe it to be an aberration with the amount of uncertainty involved the fixture with the weather delays amongst other issues. But City are certainly the better side
All said and done City are certainly the better side but Pep Guardiola will not be making the mistake of underestimating the team which he found incredibly difficult to beat during his time as Bayern Munich manager. Gladbach needs to win this and they will come hard at the English side with their brand of gegenpress. City have brought themselves invaluable breathing space after the morale-boosting 3-1 win against Barcelona. City will be taking a lot of positivity from that performance.
Gladbach are coming off a 1-2 loss while Manchester City are on the back of a narrow 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. Forgotten man Yaya Toure was the surprise match-winner and it was a fairytale comeback for him as he scored a brace to give City 3 important points.
Guardiola rested a lot of his main stars and they are expected to return for this fixture.
T4O’S PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY XI VS BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH (4-1-4-1)
DEFENCE
Claudio Bravo will be making a return after missing the fixture against Barcelona for which he was suspended. Bravo has been getting a bit of stick for his recent performances and has to raise his game a bit. Bacary Sagna made an impressive comeback after injury and after putting in a shift at the centre of the defence, he might be given a run at right-back. Stones and Otamendi will likely be partnered in central defence. Kolarov will be at left-back with Clichy an alternative.
MIDFIELD
Fernandinho will take up his usual role at the base of midfield and will be tasked with providing cover to the leaky defence as well as fortify the midfield with his energy and defensive acumen. Gundogan and Silva are likely to make a comeback in their usual No.8 roles. Both were rested for the trip to Selhurst Park with Silva making a cameo appearance from the bench.
ATTACK
Kevin De Bruyne might be shifted onto the flanks with Nolito paving way while Raheem Sterling is likely to start on the right-hand side. Sergio Aguero will once again lead the line.
