I think they will only be capable of 1 or 2 20 minute spells over the 2 legs where the laws of football seem to go out of the window and Milner and Klavan start looking like Brazil 1970. If you can just ride them out they’re really not that special and you should win comfortably over 2 legs. They’ve not won in 2 attempts v Sevilla, drew at home and lost away to Spurs and United, drew at home to Chelsea, Arsenal and yourselves at home are the only big games they’ve won this season. Their record against the top ten at Anfield is actually poor. They were nothing special in either game against us and we’re a shambles.
Just avoid ridiculous red cards or penalties and get out the home leg within 1 goal of them and I think you’d be in pole position at the Etihad.
I don't think we should defend as high as the league game as their pace can worry us.
I expect Kompany to play to calm the defence and he has great experience even though he's lost a yard of pace in the last couple of years. LB is a bit of a problem at the mo, Delph is fit again but hasn't played for several weeks, he'll probably start against the rags. Laporte played against Everton as a makeshift LB, but the pace of Salah is worrying. I expect Danilo to start, not ideal as he's right footed but Salah likes to cut inside so Danilo is probably our best option. Mendy is almost fit again but this game comes too soon as he's been out most of the season.
I like to think Guardiola will have learned from the league game when we collapsed for around 10 minutes, Ederson caught out by Salah and Stones made a costly error. Otamendi will probably partner Kompany with Walker at RB. Fernandinho also had a rare bad game, but he's been our most important player this season as he is world class and so vital to our style of play.
I think Silva was badly missed in the 4-3 but he will be back for this and I don't really need to explain his quality in midfield especially with De Bruyne there to feed Sane or Sterling, but we will probably start Bernado on the right as he's in good form, and the hostility might affect Sterling.
Upfront it's a toss up between who will start, Aguero or Jesus. I'd go Aguero as he is a better finisher, but Jesus leads the high press better.
I cannot see us losing this game tbh, it is possible as anything can happen, but I think our midfield will boss theirs tomorrow.
Here's hoping...