Pep Guardiola chases Carlo Ancelotti’s Champions League record as City host Dinamo Zagreb

Pep Guardiola will have one eye on the veteran Italian manager’s record as Manchester City return to the Champions League after a rather satisfying weekend in which they dismantled Everton by three goals to one.

Carlo Ancelotti is the manager with the most wins (32) by three or more goals in the competition but Guardiola is not far behind with 2 fewer and Tuesday presents a chance to cut that gap down to one.

The Citizens have little to fear on the continental front with another three points likely on Tuesday night.

Pep Guardiola and his men easily dispatched Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 away on match day one, a victory that has left the English side in a position of great power.

Dinamo Zagreb are however no bums, with the Croatian champions currently leading the way in this group following their 4-0 win over Atalanta.

But City present a new level of challenge and with the visitors preparing for their first trip to City, their stay at the top of the group is likely going to be short lived.

Match Facts

Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk was Pep Guardiola’s 30th managerial UEFA Champions League win by three or more goals – only Carlo Ancelotti (32 wins) has more by that margin in the history of the competition.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 15 of Man City’s last 16 games (UEFA Champions League).

Man City have scored at least 2 goals in 9 of their last 10 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Dinamo Zagreb have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Man City have won 5 of their last 6 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Team News

Manchester City

Manchester City will continue to be without Aymeric Laporte, Leroy Sane and John Stones when they host Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night.

Kevin De Bruyne also missed training on Monday, though the reason behind his absence is unknown. Assuming an injury, David Silva and Bernardo Silva, who were both benched at the weekend, will start either side of Rodrigo in midfield.

Sergio Aguero was only fit enough for a place on the bench on Saturday but should replace Gabriel Jesus in the starting XI here.

Oleksandr Zinchenko struggled at times against Everton and could be replaced in the starting XI by Benjamin Mendy here.

Pep Guardiola has little choice but to continue with Fernandinho at centre-back, while Joao Cancelo will hope for a rare outing in midweek.

Riyad Mahrez is playing the best football of his City career and will surely not be dropped before the international break.

Dinamo Zagreb

Dinamo Zagreb have a clean bill of health for Tuesday’s trip to Manchester and could name an unchanged starting XI from last time out in the Champions League.

Spain Under-21 international Dani Olmo is the one to watch for the Croatian outfit.

Prediction

Back another big win for City, who should cement their place at the summit of this group with a midweek victory.

Tip: Man City to win and over 2.5 goals