Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland is one goal away from writing another page of Champions League history ahead of Wednesday's playoff second leg with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The Norway international is now on 49 goals in the competition after his brace in last week's 3-2 first-leg loss and could now become both the youngest and quickest (in just 49 games) to net 50 in the Champions League, as long as he can shake off a minor knee scare from the weekend.
Haaland is expected to spearhead the charge with the support of Omar Marmoush, fresh from scoring a phenomenal hat-trick in the 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle United in the Premier League, potentially putting Phil Foden's spot at risk.
Neither Bernardo Silva nor Kevin De Bruyne played a single minute at the weekend, suggesting that Pep Guardiola plans to field them from the off on Wednesday, where Savinho should reprise his role on the right wing.
John Stones occupied the Rodri role in the first leg, but new signing Nico Gonzalez may now be bestowed with that responsibility at the Bernabeu, where Guardiola might also receive some timely defensive boosts.
Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake paired up at the back last week before being ruled out of the win over Newcastle with muscular tightness, although neither man's issue is expected to be serious enough to keep them out of this contest.
As a result, the duo may return to form the protective barrier in front of Ederson, while Josko Gvardiol and emergency right-back Matheus Nunes should complete the Citizens' backline.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Gonzalez; Savinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland
> Click here to see how Real Madrid could line up for the second leg
Ben Knapton
