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Three defeats and two draws from their seven matches have left the Cityzens in an awkward position heading into the final league phase encounter, with victory against their Belgian opponents at the Etihad Stadium the only route to the play-offs for the reigning Premier League champions.
A draw or defeat would see them eliminated, failing to make the knockout rounds of Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 2012/13.
Club Brugge currently sit three points ahead of Man City and know that a draw would secure their place in the play-offs, with even defeat potentially seeing them progress depending on results elsewhere. Nicky Hayen’s side know the challenge of visiting the Etihad but they will be confident heading to Manchester following a 20-game unbeaten run.
Here is 90min’s guide to a must-win match for the resurgent Man City.
Rodri and Oscar Bobb are long-term absentees for Man City but their injury list doesn’t end there. Talismanic centre-back Ruben Dias has suffered another setback and will be missing for the foreseeable future due to a groin problem.
Fellow centre-half Nathan Ake is unlikely to feature midweek having been absent since the collapse against Brentford, while speedy winger Jeremy Doku is out for “a while” and will miss the clash with Club Brugge – and likely the Premier League fixture with Arsenal on Sunday.
John Stones will return to the starting XI after Abdukodir Khusanov’s difficult debut against Chelsea last weekend, with the Uzbek defender ineligible to feature alongside new signings Omar Marmoush and Vitor Reis.
Man City predicted lineup vs Club Brugge (4-3-3): Ederson; Nunes, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; De Bruyne, Kovacic, Silva; Foden, Haaland, Savinho.
Club Brugge’s only concern on Wednesday evening is skipper Hans Vanaken, who missed the 1-1 …
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