Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will be trying to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals but they have a tough test to pass against in-form AS Monaco at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. This is the first time these two teams meet in an European competition. Manchester City did well against French opposition last season, when they knocked out Paris Saint-Germain after a 2-2 away draw and a 1-0 victory at home. AS Monaco also have good memories of clashes against English opponents as they beat Tottenham both at home and away in the Champions League group stage last season.
A string of three consecutive wins pushed Manchester City to second place in the Premier League and they still have a theoretical shot at the title considering that leaders Chelsea are eight points ahead. However, last weekend the Citizens were held to a goalless draw in the FA Cup at Championship side Huddersfield, a result which leads to another fixture added into their already busy schedule. Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan remain the only names on the injured list for manager Pep Guardiola.
AS Monaco have been in great shape lately, they have not lost a match since December 18th, that's twelve matches without defeat in all competitions. Last week they only managed a 1-1 draw at Bastia in Ligue 1, but they are still top of the table and three points clear of second-placed Paris Saint-Germain. Their last away defeat was in the last Champions League group stage match, they lost 3-0 at Bayer Leverkusen but still finished top of the group. Gabriel Boschilia and Guido Carrillo are injured and won't be able to play on Tuesday.
Probable line-ups:
Man City: Caballero - Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Clichy - Fernandinho, Toure - Sane, De Bruyne, D. Silva - Aguero
Monaco: Subasic - Sidibe, Glik, Raggi, Mendy - B. Silva, Bakayoko, Fabinho, Lemar - Germain, Falcao
My prediction: Manchester City to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Man City win - 1.60
Draw - 4.33
Monaco win - 6.00
02/21/17, 11:02:20 PM
