Manchester City wraps up the first legs of this season’s Last 16 ties in UEFA Champions League with a trip to the Veltins-Arena to face Schalke 04.
Currently unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 in all competitions, Man City will be keen to maintain that momentum against a Schalke side, who are currently fighting against relegation in Bundesliga.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesSchalke are set to hand Rabbi Matondo a start against his former club, having signed him last month from Man City.
Steven Skrzybski and Breel Embolo are unavailable despite recently resuming training after injuries. Alessandro Schopf is also ruled out as Benjamin Stambouli looks a doubt as he recovers from a cheekbone injury.
Omar Mascarell is suspended but Daniel Caligiuri is available after serving a suspension at end of group stage.
Manchester City will be without Gabriel Jesus who has a hamstring injury, whilst John Stones is absent with a groin issue.
Vincent Kompany meanwhile faces a late fitness test as he comes back from a muscular injury.
Benjamin Mendy remains out with a knee injury but could be available for Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final. Claudio Bravo however is a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury.
Stat Attack
- Manchester City have won last two meetings with Schalke but have kept just one clean sheet in three previous meetings. (W2, L1).
- Schalke have lost all of their last three home ties at this stage of the Champions League, scoring in two of those ties.
- Man City have scored in seven of last eight away Champions League games, only failing to do so in first leg of Quarter-Final against Liverpool last season.
Prediction
This is a tough one for Man City because they have got the FA Cup out of the way safely yet have Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final on horizon.
I however am expecting City to take this game seriously and get a comfortable win with Leroy Sane, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero back in starting lineup.
Prediction: Schalke 04 0-2 Manchester City
Result: Schalke 04 2-3 Manchester City