Manchester City vs. Barcelona predicted lineups and team news

Manchester City host Barcelona at the Etihad in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie for the second year in a row with the English champions looking for a favorable outcome this time around.

The Citizens are coming into this match with two wins on the bounce including the 5-0 demolition of Newcastle United at the weekend. Manuel Pellegrini’s men were able to close the gap on Chelsea to five points and must be in a buoyant mood ahead of Tuesday’s clash.

Not so for Barcelona who slumped to a 1-0 loss at home to Malaga last Saturday. The Catalans who, prior to the defeat, had won 11 games in a row but were exposed by some good defensive organization and counter attacking football. And as a result, are now four points off the pace in the title race.

Attention must however be focused on the European midweek tie with four-time winners looking for a good result to take to the Camp Nou in three weeks time.

Team News

Pellegrini has a fully fit squad to select from with James Milner the only player to miss out through injury.

Sergio Aguero seems to be hitting top form at the right moment and he’ll be leading the City attack as usual with David Silva, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas alongside him. Eliaquim Mangala will pair Vincent Kompany at center-back while Fernando replaces the suspended Yaya Toure.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is expected to stick with his 4-3-3 setup with Suarez, Neymar and Messi the front trio while Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta pull the strings in midfield.

Thomas Vermaelen is the only player certainly unavailable as he continues his rehabilitation from a thigh injury.

Predicted Lineups