Nobody could have predicted the season that Manchester City have had. It has been quite extraordinary how quickly the Premier League champions have fallen. Despite having on paper one of the best teams in the world they are reduced to fighting for a top-four place in their domestic league and worse still are in very real danger of suffering a humiliating league phase exit in Europe.
City won't have the luxury of facing a team with nothing to play for as they desperately seek three points at the Etihad in midweek. Club Brugge know that a draw will not only boot Guardiola's men out of the competition but more importantly will guarantee them a place in the playoff round.
It's simple. City will reach the playoff if they win. Anything less and they are going home. Brugge can still qualify even if they lose but a point would make it a certainty. It's a loser-leaves-town type scenario with huge stakes, and one with Man City surely didn't envisage they would be a part of coming into the season.
Manchester City vs Club Brugge Team News
The hosts have been struggling with injuries to key players all season, not least the man voted the best player in the world, Rodri. However, the arrival of reinforcements in the form of Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush, all of whom may start this game.
Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku are missing.
As well as the long-term duo of Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) and Rodri (ACL), Man City lost Ruben Dias to a fresh abductor problem in the loss to PSG, while Nathan Ake (muscle) is a doubt and Jeremy Doku (unspecified) will miss out.
Brugge captain Hans Vanaken missed their weekend match with an illness, and fans will be desperately hoping he makes his return for this one as he is a crucial part of what they do.
Manchester City vs Club Brugge Possible Lineups
Guardiola has persisted in attempting to turn Matheus Nunes into a right-back and that experiment will likely continue tonight. Khusanov should probably start again at centre-back, as in all likelihood will Marmoush in the front three. Their other new signing Reis will probably only make the bench.
Man City Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Nunes, Khusanov, Akanji, Gvardiol; Bernardo Silva, Kovacic, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Marmoush.
Club Brugge is dangerous on the counter down their left-hand side with De Cuyper and Tzolis producing plenty of assists. They will look to keep it tight and probably have to rely on Simon Mignolet in goal and bring the counter down that flank. It's certainly working for the Belgians, who are four games unbeaten in Europe.
Club Brugge Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Jashari; Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla.
Be sure to head back to Sporticos an hour before kick-off to get updated official lineups and other stats.
Manchester City vs Club Brugge Prediction
It would not be at all surprising to see the visitors soak up the pressure and snatch a first-half goal on the break, leaving City to scramble and fight their way to a victory.
City should get it done in the end but it likely won't be as easy as it looks on paper, given their propensity for making life harder than it needs to be for themselves this season.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Club Brugge
This will be a very intriguing one for the neutral. You may be about to see one of the most famous early exits in Champions League history, or yet another return to form for Guardiola's side. Either way, it is certainly one to watch.
Fans in the UK can watch Manchester City vs Club Brugge on TV or via live streaming on TNT Sports.
