UEFA Champions League match preview: Manchester City Vs Celtic


Manchester City will look to end their Champions League Group C campaign with a win when they welcome Celtic to the Etihad on Tuesday.

 Pep Guardiola's side are already guaranteed to qualify for the last-16 in second place behind group winners Barcelona.

 The City boss has confirmed he will rotate his squad but Sergio Aguero is in contention to start after picking up a four-game domestic suspension following his red card against Chelsea on Saturday.

 "There will be changes tomorrow definitely. I'm so happy to be able to give minutes to people who deserve to play who perhaps didn't play the last game," Guardiola said.

 "That doesn't mean it won't be important for me. I will demand the best from those players. But if Sergio is going to play or not, I will decide today or tomorrow. I don't know right now." 

 Celtic, meanwhile, are looking for their first win in the group stages, but even victory in Manchester will not be enough to lift them from last place.

 Team news

 Aguero could play for City even though Guardiola planned to rest him before his sending off.

 The striker will not be able to play for City in the league again until December 31 so Tuesday's match will be the last chance for him to get some senior game time before then.

 Raheem Sterling missed training on Monday while Vincent Kompany remains absent. Fabian Delph could be in line for his first appearance since August. 

 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers should have a virtually full squad at his disposal.
Striker Leigh Griffiths and central defender Erik Sviatchenko both missed Saturday's dramatic 4-3 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park through illness, but are expected to be available.

 Scott Sinclair will be absent for the match with his former club because of a hamstring injury, but on-loan City winger Patrick Roberts, who was back among the goals at Motherwell, is likely to start.

 Opta stats

 Celtic's only away win against English opposition in the European Cup/Champions League was in the 1969/70 semi-final when they beat Leeds at Elland Road (1-0).

 Since then, Celtic have lost their two trips to England in Europe's premier competition, both times conceding exactly three goals against Manchester United.

 Manchester City have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the fourth season in a row. However, they have finished top of their group only once (2015/16). It's also the first time Pep Guardiola hasn't secured top spot in a Champions League group campaign as manager.

 Meanwhile, Celtic are certain of finishing bottom of their group, which has happened (including current season) in three of their last four Champions League campaigns.

 Manchester City are unbeaten in their last seven Champions League home games (W5 D2), their longest run without a defeat in the competition at the Etihad. They can win all three of their home games in a Champions League group stage for the first time.

 Manchester City have also only conceded one goal in their five Champions League home games in 2016, it was scored by Lionel Messi.

 Celtic have lost 26 of their 29 Champions League games away from home (W1 D2) and have never kept a clean sheet.

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