Manchester City will host Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Key statistics
- Man City and Dortmund had previously met in the UCL Group stage 2012/13 season, with the latter coming out on top with a draw and a win.
- City have a better track record against the German opponents, winning 10 of their 11 previous meetings. Only Barcelona and Real Madrid hold a better winning percentage than City against the German sides.
- However, Pep Guardiola would be concerned about his poor record in the knockouts, losing four of his last five quarter-final games.
Manchester City
Manchester City are touted as the favourites for the tie due to their unstoppable form across all competitions.
The Premier League leaders, 14 points clear off the top, are marching towards League glory for the third time in the last four seasons.
Talking about their Champions League record this season, City are yet to lose a game and also won their round of 16 ties against Borussia Monchengladbach at ease.
City might be held back mentally by their poor Champions League record over the last few seasons however Pep Guardiola would look to end his hoodoo in European games this time around.
Furthermore, City are coming off an emphatic win against top-four contenders Leicester City, with Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus finding the scoresheet.
Citizens have a fully-fit squad ahead of the Dortmund clash, which will be an added advantage for the home side.
Possible Manchester City line-ups
Ederson; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Benjamin Mendy; Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne; Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund‘s Bundesliga form has taken a turn for the worse with their recent setback against Eintracht Frankfurt, which leaves them seven points off the top four race.
Edin Terzic has been underwhelming since taking over as the makeshift manager after the dismissal of Lucian Favre.
Despite entering into the tie as the non-favourites, Dortmund carry a massive threat in the form of Erling Haaland, who Guardiola spoke highly of recently. Perhaps, City have been mooted as one of the Norwegian’s suitors, however, Guardiola ruled out the possibility of a big-money move this summer.
Former Manchester City starlet would be a huge miss for the men in Black and Yellow due to a thigh injury but could return for the second leg.
Possible Borussia Dortmund line-ups
Hitz; Emre Can, Manuel Akanji, Matt Hummels, Raphael Guerreiro; Thomas Delaney, Jude Bellingham, Dahoud; Thorgan Hazard, Erling Haaland, Marco Reus.
Betting Odds
Manchester City : Draw : Borussia Dortmund :: 1.33 : 5.50 : 8.00
Prediction
Man City 3 – 1 Dortmund: City are expected to take it to the fragile opposition compared to theirs while Haaland still can cause trouble to City’s defence.
