Manchester City will look to keep their foot on the pedal designated for the UEFA Champions League when they travel to Germany to face a stiff opponent in Borussia Monchengladbach. There is a buzz around City especially regarding UCL as they have supposedly broken down the proverbial mental barrier when it comes to Europe. After being tentative since their entry into the European elite, the dominant victory over Barcelona is being seen as a landmark of sorts. But it has to be seen if they can carry on the intensity and execution for a prolonged period.
Borussia Monchengladbach were beaten 4-0 at the Etihad but they are a completely different proposition at home and City will know they will have played brilliantly if they come out with a victory. Barcelona were lucky in their 2-1 win and Pep will set up his side to deal with the gegenpressing football of Gladbach. A draw will almost guarantee a place in the Round of 16 but they will be looking to win to keep the pressure on Barca going into the last round of fixtures.
TEAM NEWS
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
Borussia Monchengladbach have no new injury worries but Christoph Kramer and Julian Korb will both miss the match through suspension.
MANCHESTER CITY
Yaya Toure is not registered for the UCL and will therefore not travel with the squad. Vincent Kompany is unlikely to feature after suffering from concussion against Crystal Palace. Fabian Delph is still out injured while a host of first team stars are expected to make a comeback after being rested against Palace in the league.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH (3-5-2)
Sommer; Elvedi, Christensen, Vestergaard; Strobl, Dahoud, Stindl, Wend, Traore; Raffael, Hazard
MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1)
Bravo; Sagna, Otamendi, stones, Kolarov; Fernandinho; De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva, Sterling; Aguero
KEY MEN
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
LARS STINDL
Manchester City have looked vulnerable at the back and are not able to keep clean sheets at the moment. Borussia press high up the pitch in a bid to recover possession and their high-intensity football is made possible by the energetic and hard-working players. Stindl is their highest scorer till now in the League and will certainly be a threat with the likes of Hazard and Raffael around him.
MANCHESTER CITY
SERGIO AGUERO
The City striker has had a topsy-turvy season so far but has been explosive in the instances that he has scored. He already has a hat-trick against Gladbach in the reverse fixture and will be a key figure again. He looks revitalised and has added another dimension to his game under Guardiola. Gladbach need to keep him in check.
BETTING ODDS
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH- 7/2
DRAW- 3/1
MANCHESTER CITY- 4/5
