All eyes will be at Etihad on Tuesday evening as Premier League title contenders Manchester City host La Liga holders Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League Last 16 stage tie.

Following two unsuccessful attempts to get past the group stage, the Citizens finally made it into knockout stages this term, albeit finishing second behind Bayern Munich.

That has seen them pitted against world beaters Barcelona in the first knockout stage, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side are definitely not without chances to progress into the next round.

Despite suffering back to back slip-ups in the league of late, Manchester City have been thoroughly impressive this season, especially at their Etihad.

And with the team restoring some of the lost confidence by defeating Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round, they are 2.90 (19/10) to beat Barcelona as well.

Meanwhile, the Citizens are priced at 2.62 (13/8) to pip the Catalans to a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The hosts will again be without key players Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho, but Samir Nasri has returned into action and he could start.

Javi Garcia looks set to partner Yaya Toure in the centre of the park, whereas Alvaro Negredo should be recalled at Stevan Jovetic’s expense.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Hart – Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov – Milner, Garcia, Toure, Silva – Dzeko, Negredo.

Some three months before the season is due to end, Barcelona are still in the race for three major trophies, meaning they can be satisfied with their performances so far.

The Catalans have made it to the Copa del Rey final, where they will battle arch rivals Real Madrid for the coveted trophy, whereas their league campaign is also going according to plan.

Barcelona are currently tied on points with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, but they remain the number one candidates for the league title.

Gerardo Martino’s side recovered well from the shock defeat to Valencia as they hammered Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano in the next two matches, thus seriously improving the atmosphere ahead of the all-important clash against Manchester City.

Given that star forward Neymar also returned into action at the weekend, Barcelona look a good bet to win at Etihad, at odds of 2.50 (3/2).

The two goals he scored against Rayo Vallecano are enough to suggest Leo Messi has rediscovered his scoring boots, so bear in mind the Argentine is 2.20 (6/5) to score anytime.

Apart from long-term casualty Isaac Cuenca, boss Gerardo Martino has absolutely no selection worries, although Neymar is unlikely to start as he lacks match fitness.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Valdes – Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba – Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta – Pedro, Messi, Sanchez.