M'gladbach v Man City preview: City can seal knockout spot with victory

Manchester City will book their spot in the Champions League knockout stages with a victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola's men were in the driving seat when the two sides met at the Etihad Stadium in September, beating the Bundesliga outfit 4-0 with Sergio Aguero netting a hat-trick. 

They need another three points on Wednesday to seal a spot in the last 16 and after a stunning 3-1 victory over Barcelona last time out, boss Guardiola is not allowing his side to get ahead of themselves.

"We were so happy with beating Barcelona, but it was just one game. We cannot be considered favourites to win. Maybe in 10 years but we need time to achieve that," he said.

Coach Andre Schubert believes Monchengladbach have proved they belong at Champions League level - but accepts Europa League qualification may now be their aim.

"We're not going to try and pull something extraordinary out of the hat," Schubert said. "It's about looking to contain Man City as best we can. We're focusing on our strengths and how we can seize our opportunity.

"We are playing against one of the best teams, with the potential to get to the semi-finals or the final of the Champions League. We're huge underdogs going into this game, we're aware of that.

Team news

City captain Vincent Kompany will not feature after suffering with a new knee injury while Yaya Toure, who scored twice against Crystal Palace on his return to the side, is ineligible.

Fabian Delph and Pablo Zabaleta have returned to training after their injuries but will not be part of the squad that travels to Germany.

Gladbach have two players suspended - Christoph Kramer and Julian Korb - while Mamadou Doucoure, Alvaro Dominguez and Patrick Hermann remain sidelined with injuries. 

Josip Drmic and Tsiy William Ndenge are back in training and could feature in the matchday squad as the Bundesliga side face their third match in seven days.

Opta stats

Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City are facing each other in the Champions League group stages for the second consecutive season. City have won all three games (10 goals scored, three conceded).

City have not kept a clean sheet in their five away games against German opposition in the Champions League (W2 L3).

Gladbach have won only one of their five home games in the Champions League (D2 L2), against Sevilla in November 2015 (4-2).

All five of Gladbach's home games in the Champions League have seen both teams score.

City are winless away from home in their last four Champions League games (D2 L2). This season, they have conceded seven goals in their two outings away from Manchester.

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In fact, City have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine away games in the Champions League, the last one dating back to December 2014 against Roma (2-0).

City have made it past the last-16 only once, it was in 2015/16 when they reached the semi-finals (knocked out by Real Madrid). They are looking to reach the knockout stages for the fourth consecutive season.

This is Gladbach's second consecutive Champions League group stage participation, after failing to qualify for any of the previous 23 campaigns. They have not yet reached the knockout stages.

Gladbach's Lars Stindl has been directly involved in eight of his team's 12 goals since last season (five goals, three assists).

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Sergio Aguero has scored four goals in two Champions League games against Gladbach, including a hat-trick on matchday one earlier this season.

Charlie's prediction

This is a dangerous match. The lift City got from beating Barcelona should give them the momentum they need in this sort of game.

They've got Celtic in the final game at home so this is a must-not-lose rather than a must-win, especially with Barca waiting for Gladbach.

This is one of those games where I just think they'll go pass, pass, pass and Gladbach will have to force the game and come unstuck.

David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne will be key in ensuring they dominate the game and create the chances and I'm backing Sergio Aguero to turn up and fire them through to the last 16.

Charlie predicts: 0-2 and Aguero to score first - 22/1 with Sky Bet