An utterly mouth-watering prospect, Manchester City’s hosting of Barcelona represents a clash of England and Spain’s most potent attacking entities respectively.

By @BETFUZE

 

Yaya Toure plays his former side for the first time since his move to Manchester in 2010

And it seems almost implausible that we will be disappointed, especially given that the pair have registered 137 goals between them in only 49 combined league matches this term.

Barca served up six of those strikes in their last outing alone, during which a back-to-form Lionel Messi contributed twice, and the four-time Ballon d’Or winner is likely to prove key to proceedings at the Etihad, as he bids to build on the five goals he has netted within his last three appearances.

Certain to represent a source of primary attention for the City backline, Messi’s presence undoubtedly enhances the appeal of booking markets too, considering that fouling the diminutive Argentinian has often proved the most effective, or even only, way of stopping him. But that is not to suggest that any number of the Citizens’ individual players don’t warrant hefty respect as well, particularly from a side that far from epitomises defensive solidity.

Goals for both can thus be expected, but with arguably the most awesome force in world football at the spearhead of their attack, the edge must lie with the travelling Catalans.

TEAM NEWS

Man City

• Sergio Aguero injured

• Matija Nastasic and Fernandinho to be assessed before the match

• Samir Nasri and Alvaro Negredo expected to return to starting line-up

Barcelona

• Jonathan dos Santos injured

• Xavi to be assessed before the match

• Jordi Alba expected to return to starting line-up

FORM GUIDE

Man City

Man City	2 – 0	Chelsea
Norwich	0 – 0	Man City
Man City	0 – 1	Chelsea
Tottenham	1 – 5	Man City
Man City	4 – 2	Watford

Barcelona

Barcelona	6 . 0	Rayo V.
Real Sociedad	1 – 1	Barcelona
Sevilla	1 – 4	Barcelona
Barcelona	2 – 0	Real Sociedad
Barcelona	2 – 3	Valencia

HEAD to HEAD

Barcelona	5 – 1	Man City
Man City	2 – 0	Barcelona
Man City	2 – 2	Barcelona
Barcelona	0 – 2	Man City
Barcelona	1 – 2	Man City

STATISTICS

• Between them, Manchester City and Barcelona have hit 137 league goals in only 49 combined outings this campaign

• The Citizens’ home matches this term feature well over four total goals on average

• Despite starting only two Champions League matches this season, Alvaro Negredo has netted five competition goals

• Lionel Messi has bagged six times in his past five games, with five of those strikes occurring within his last three appearances

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