Manchester City's Champions League encounter with Feyenoord at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday is "a must-win for many reasons", Citizens expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole.
Pep Guardiola's side are enduring the worst run of form for the English champions for 68 years having suffered five consecutive defeats in all competitions, most recently losing 4-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League last weekend.
Defeat to Spurs represents Guardiola's heaviest home loss as a manager and Man City's third in a row in the Premier League, leaving them sitting eight points behind in-form leaders Liverpool, whom they lock horns with at Anfield on Sunday.
Before that challenging trip to Merseyside, Man City will endeavour to return to winning ways against Dutch outfit Feyenoord, and McInerney 'trusts' Guardiola's men to respond with a victory on home soil.
"I've got to trust City here," McInerney told Sports Mole. "It's at home, which is huge. Tomorrow, it's a good chance to get the win that we need. I don't know how Feyenoord are playing now post [Arne] Slot.
"Obviously, they were possession-based side and they played very similar to how Liverpool play right now. Looking at their results there, they've not had a phenomenal season currently. They're sat in fourth, which is fine, but they're a little bit off the pace, eight points behind PSV, so it doesn't look like they're going to do a title challenge this season unless things change quite dramatically.
McInerney: 'De Bruyne can make a difference in must-win Feyenoord clash'
"They're a good side clearly, but they've not had a great start so far in the Champions League. They lost 3-1 to Red Bull Salzburg last time out. They also got battered by Bayer Leverkusen (4-0), which wasn't great for them. They did beat Benfica (3-1) and Girona (3-2) to be fair."
"I'm sure the victory [for Man City is] going to come at some point," McInerney added. "It all depends if City take the chances. I wouldn't be surprised if City start pretty well again (against Feyenoord).
"I'm hoping [Kevin] De Bruyne is a little bit fitter because if he can play 45 minutes minimum, maybe even get a start and just play until half time - and the logic for that would be hopefully City go 2-0 up - he will make a difference on the pitch. I'm sure he'll inspire the rest of them, [Ilkay] Gundogan, [Phil] Foden, Savinho, [Erling] Haaland.
"If we can get a good lead at half time, I think we should be okay. I don't think it makes too much of a difference for the weekend (against Liverpool), if I'm being honest, but a shot in the arm right now would be most appreciated."
Asked whether he expects Guardiola to make some changes to his starting lineup against Feyenoord with one eye on Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool, McInerney said: "It feels like every single matchday squad is totally different. Someone appears on the bench and they disappear the next week.
"I think [Matheus] Nunes will play. Don't be surprised to see one of the young lads play. [James] McAtee, [Jacob] Wright, [Nico] O'Reilly. I think Guardiola might go for one of them. Maybe [Jahmai] Simpson-Pusey starts again because I think he did fine (in his last two appearances).
"Jack Grealish had a decent little cameo and once again De Bruyne, so I think there's potential there. I think there'll be some changes and I think there has to be. I think Guardiola will rest one or two people."
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Will Guardiola name strong starting lineup against Feyenoord?
However, McInerney would not be surprised to see Guardiola - who is confident of quickly turning City's fortunes around - name a "reasonably strong" side as Man City "need a win" in the Champions League not only to end their torrid losing run, but also to boost their hopes of securing an automatic spot in the last 16.
"City need a win. They need a win in the Champions League," said McInerney. "They do need some points because obviously they have already lost (against Sporting Lisbon) and we've drawn a game (against Inter Milan).
"We've got Juventus (December 11) and PSG (January 22) coming up. City currently sit in 10th. You don't want the extra two games (last-16 playoffs) given our current fixture schedule right now and injuries.
"You presume a victory would put City in the top eight again and then only three games left after that. I think Guardiola has to make changes, but I think it has to go reasonably strong. There's no guarantee the way City are playing right now they'll beat PSG or Juventus.
"I think this is basically a must-win for many reasons, because you need the points on the board and because you need the confidence boost."
Man City have previously faced Feyenoord twice in their history, winning two group-stage games in the 2017-18 Champions League by an aggregate score of 5-0, including a narrow 1-0 win at the Etihad.
Press play on the video in this article to hear the full discussion ahead of Man City's clash with Feyenoord in the Champions League.
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