Manchester City welcome Sporting Lisbon to the Etihad Stadium in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2021-22 UEFA Champions League.
With a 5-0 lead from the first leg, Man City know that a victory, draw or a defeat of four goals or less would be enough to see them through to the Quarter-Finals.
Sporting meanwhile must win to stand any chance at progressing beyond this match with five goals without conceding needed to force extra-time, although the Portuguese club realistically need six goals to send them through.
Team News
Nathan Ake could return for Man City if he has recovered from a knock which forced him to miss Sunday’s Premier League win over Manchester United.
Zack Steffen (back) is a doubt but Ruben Dias (hamstring), Cole Palmer (foot) and Benjamin Mendy (personal) remain absent.
Kevin De Bruyne and Joao Cancelo could both be rested in order to ensure that both players avoid picking up another yellow card, which would see them miss the first leg of the Quarter-Finals.
Sporting Lisbon could be without Pedro Goncalves after he missed their last three matches with a muscle injury.
Joao Palhinha (groin), Daniel Braganca (ankle) and Matheus Nunes (suspension) are all ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Man City have won two of three previous meetings against Sporting Lisbon in all UEFA competitions (W2, L1).
- Sporting lost their only previous trip to Man City’s Etihad Stadium, losing 3-2 in March 2012 in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2011-12 Europa League.
- Etihad
- Gabriel Jesus has scored in each of City’s three Champions League home matches so far this season, with the Brazilian’s goals all coming in the second-half.
- Four of Sporting’s six away goals in the Champions League this season have been scored before half-time.
Prediction
Having delivered a dominant victory in the Manchester derby on Sunday, City will be an interesting team to watch here because they can afford to rest key players given their first leg lead, yet this is an opportunity to keep momentum going because their next domestic match isn’t until Monday.
Sporting however have it all to do coming into this match and although I don’t see them overturning their deficit here, they will have no pressure on them here so I am hoping that they come out and just give this their best shot in order to bow out on a positive note.
If Pep Guardiola fields a full strength team, I can see a comfortable home win coming otherwise this could get competitive because Sporting have nothing to lose so can just throw the kitchen sink at this and go all-out attack.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Sporting Lisbon
Result: Manchester City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (Manchester City win 5-0 on aggregate!!)
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