Manchester City face a tough task after the 1-0 defeat at Joao Alvalade, but if the Citizens produce what they are capable of, they should have no problems making it to the quarter-finals. Sporting Lisbon were somewhat fortunate to win the first leg, but they now need to play next to perfect game in order to make it through.

Defensive problems for Mancini

Everything looked to be going well for Roberto Mancini’s side before the clash with Sporting as the Citizens were at the Premiership summit and on the back of the 6-1 aggregate win over very good Porto side, but just one week later things no longer seem that positive. Manchester City played pretty well in Lisbon, but they ended up losing the game, whereas the narrow defeat to Swansea saw Manchester United leapfrog them in the Premier League standings. As if that was not enough, key defenders Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott picked up injuries in Lisbon, leaving Mancini with Kolo Toure and inexperienced Stefan Savic as his only fit centre-backs. It was the Montenegrin defender who gave away the ball when Swansea scored the winner on Sunday, once again showing that he is still not ready to be playing at the biggest stage. Being well aware of their defensive weaknesses, Roberto Mancini is likely to instruct his players to attack their opponents from the off and that should result in a very open game. Manchester City can still make it through, but they don’t look capable of keeping a clean sheet in this match.

Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott and Pablo Zabaleta are all sidelined, whereas Carlos Tevez is ineligible.

Good opportunity for Sporting

Boosted by numerous summer signings, Sporting played some very good football at the start to the season, but they then started struggling at the turn of the year and entered Manchester City clash on the back of several under-par performances. It is for that reason that even their own fans had doubts in Sa Pinto’s side, but the Lions produced a very good performance to beat one of the best sides in Europe. With players like Van Wolfswinkel, Capel, Fernandez and Izmailov, Sporting showed they can be very dangerous in attack, especially if the opponents leave them enough space to launch swift counterattacks. The one-goal advantage from the first leg will give them the opportunity to wait for their chance on the break, and with City missing two key defenders, the Lions can be backed to score at least one goal at Etihad. It remains to be seen whether that will be enough for a place in the quarter-finals.

Jeffren Suarez is pushing for a starting place following an impressive performance at the weekend, but Joao Pereira misses out through suspension. Oguchi Onyewu and Fabian Rinaudo are sidelined through injury, but Emiliano Insua and Andre Carillo are back from domestic bans.

Verdict

Manchester City have no choice but to attack from the off and while such an approach could aid team’s chances of reaching the next stage, it is bound to leave them too exposed at the back. Seeing that City will be without Kompany and Lescott, over 3 goals looks like the best option here.

Our prediction: Over 3 goals

Odds: 2.16 (29/25)

Bookmaker: 188BET