Champions League qualification may be wrapped up, but the Blues are in need of a fillip after losing to Chelsea.
Club journalist Caroline Oatway examines a few talking points ahead of the game…
1 We go again
Pleasingly, City have little time to dwell on Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea. Although Tuesday’s Champions League clash won’t affect the final standings, it provides a good opportunity to switch focus and hopefully, claim a return to winning ways at the earliest opportunity.
Heading into Saturday’s clash against Leicester on the back of a victory is crucial - the Blues can ill-afford to allow the gap at the top to increase and with no Premier League wins in four home games, an Etihad win is crucial.
2 Wingmen
Creator of the opening goal (and very nearly a second!), Jesus Navas was voted the CityMatchday App users’ Man of the Match. In addition to his role in breaking the deadlock, according to SAP, the winger had a passing accuracy of 87% and a tackle success of 100%.
Leroy Sane also showed further evidence to highlight why Pep Guardiola is an admirer of the young German. Perhaps with a touch more confidence he may also have written his name onto the scoresheet, but the signs he is finding his feet in England are promising.
3 Turning point
In the weekend’s top-of-the-table clash, City led Chelsea by a goal to nil, courtesy of Gary Cahill’s deflection from Navas’ cross. There were chances to double the lead – the best of the bunch arrived on 57 minutes when Navas delivered an excellent ball to the back post only for Kevin De Bruyne to strike the bar.
Within three minutes, Chelsea were level through Diego Costa and you have to wonder how the game would have panned out, had the Belgian converted - though it’s also worth noting the Blues had a strong penalty shout for a foul on Ilkay Gundogan, too.
4 Who will/can play?
Pep Guardiola was almost certainly going to rotate his squad against Celtic but may now be tempted to play Sergio Aguero who will both be suspended for several games after his weekend dismissal. Fernandinho will serve a suspension for bookings earned in the group stage.
Nicolas Otamendi is also banned for one Premier League game for cumulative bookings and could feature against the Hoops. Nolito, rested at the weekend, is likely to play against the SPL champions. Raheem Sterling, Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph are expected to be unavailable.
Willy Caballero could get the nod in goal with several youngsters also in contention, though the majority of those in line to start against the Foxes at the weekend are unlikely to play the full 90 minutes.
