Manchester City go into the game with a 5-0 lead from the first leg in Portugal. No side has ever recovered from a five-goal first-leg deficit in the Champions League. So, the Citizens already have one foot in the quarter-finals. 

Bernardo Silva struck twice alongside efforts from Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden to kill off the tie over 90 minutes effectively. A similar dominant game was on show when bitter rivals Manchester United visited the Etihad on Sunday.

Sporting have been a mixed bag since that first-leg demolition, with wins over Estoril and Arouca to go along with a draw against Maritimo and a costly 2-1 defeat by Primeira Liga title rivals FC Porto.

Not since the 2016-17 season have the Citizens failed to make it as far as the quarter-finals in the Champions League, and a slice of history is also on the line this week, as City could match the record for six consecutive home wins in the Champions League knockout stages.

Team News:

Manchester City FC: Guardiola also suggested that Kevin de Bruyne, who is one booking away from a suspension, may not start the game for the Blues. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko may start for City who are without the suspended Kyle Walker, while Joao Cancelo is ill and Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias are injured. Guardiola must make do without Ruben Dias for at least four weeks due to a hamstring injury.

“We have only 14 players available. We have three defenders so we have to adapt,” said Guardiola.

Sporting CP: For Sporting, the in-demand Joao Palhinha is a doubt along with Pedro Goncalves, while Matheus Nunes is suspended. Man City loanee Pedro Porro will likely line up against his parent club on the right-hand side again, while it is a two-man shootout between Slimani and Paulinho to lead the line.

Form guide:

Manchester City:

Since the first leg: WWWL

Where they stand: 1st in Premier League, FA Cup 6th round

Sporting CP:

Since the first leg: WLDW

Where they stand: 2nd in Portuguese Liga, Portuguese League Cup winners, Portuguese Cup semi-finals

Predicted line-ups

Manchester City: Ederson; Stones, Fernandinho, Laporte, Zinchenko; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Gundogan; Sterling, Jesus, Grealish

Sporting CP: Adan; Inacio, Coates, Feddal; Pedro Porro, Ugarte, Essugo, Matheus Reis; Sarabia, Slimani, Nuno Santos

Head to head results:

Man City wins: 2

Sporting wins: 1

Draws: 0

Date, kick-off time and venue:

Manchester City vs Sporting CP is scheduled for an 8 pm GMT kick-off on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

The match will take place at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.