Manchester City against Barcelona. Champions League round of 16. Again.
Of all of the ties drawn out of the hat, this is probably the one that garnered most media attention. Rightly so.
These two heavyweights went toe-to-toe last season in a high-quality game of cat and mouse, and given current form, we can surely expect to be treated to more of the same.
Manuel Pellegrini's side might well have fancied their chances of securing a quarterfinal berth when the draw was made, such was the malaise that the Blaugrana found themselves in.
But how times change. No front line has scored more than Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in 2015 and Barca look menacing and dangerous each time they step onto the pitch.
The Etihad Stadium holds happy memories for the Catalans too, having comprehensively outplayed the Citizens at the same stage last season, but with the hosts back to full strength for this one, don't bet against them.
Strap yourselves in, it's going to be some ride.
Date: Tuesday, February 24
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m ET
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
TV Info: ITV1 (UK only)/Fox Soccer Plus (USA only)
Live Stream: ITV Player (UK only)/Fox Soccer 2 Go (USA only)
Last Five Results:
Manchester City
---------------
W 5-0 Newcastle
W 4-1 Stoke City
D 1-1 Hull
D 1-1 Chelsea
L 0-2 Middlesbrough
Barcelona
---------
L 0-1 Malaga
W 5-0 Levante
W 3-1 Villarreal
W 5-2 Athletic Bilbao
W 3-2 Villarreal
W 3-2 Villarreal
Predicted Formations
Manuel Pellegrini is likely to plump for a 4-4-1-1 formation which will narrow the lines between defence and midfield and keep Barca's chances of penetrating the back line to a minimum.
Although Sergio Aguero will therefore be the lone front man for the hosts, his forays will be ably supported by Fernandinho from the midfield, or a slightly more advanced James Milner, who faces a late fitness test to determine his availability.
If Milner fails to make it, Jesus Navas slot into a rejigged midfield.
David Silva and Samir Nasri can also provide width in the channels and their roles will be crucial in keeping the rampaging twin presence of Jordi Alba and Dani Alves at bay.
Vincent Kompany will continue to expertly marshal his defence, but both Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov will need to be on their guard for the full 90 against the current best attacking three in European football.
After a shaky start to his cup campaign, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has grown into the role. His confidence between the posts should go some way to nullifying the threat that Aguero in particular will pose.
In front of him will be Barca's usual 4-3-3, for which the attack picks itself.
Luis Enrique's biggest conundrum is who to utilise against the incessant and direct running of Fernandinho. This could well be the game for Rafinha Alcantara and Ivan Rakitic to come to the fore, alongside the robust defensive excellence of Sergio Busquets.
Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano will have their hands full so both Alba and Alves will need to attend to more defensive duties as a result.
Two Argentine internationals facing off may well decide the outcome of this game.
Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero know each others' game inside out with the ball firmly in Kun's court to deliver a surprise element to bamboozle his countryman.
It might well take something out of the ordinary to get past El Jefe because he has been in sensational form this season, carrying on where he left off in World Cup 2014, a tournament that should have afforded him the accolade of best player, rather than Messi.
Mascherano has to play a composed and balanced 90 minutes and quite probably sit further back than he might prefer, in order to track the movements of City's tricky No. 16.
Keep him quiet and Barca are halfway there.
Odds
The following pre-match odds are available via our betting partner Odds Shark:
Home Win: 19/10
Away Win: 69/50
Draw: 7/4
Article Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2371458-manchester-city-vs-barcelona-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-info
