Date: Wednesday, October 23 Venue: Arena Khimki, Moscow Kick-Off: 17:00 BST Can Manchester City get their Champions League campaign back up and running with victory over CSKA Moscow in this afternoon's early kick-off in Group D?
Team News
CSKA Moscow are set to play former Manchester United man Zoran Toši for Manchester City's visit to Russia in Group D. Igor Akinfeev will replace Sergey Chepchugov in goal, while Keisuke Honda will once again continue his role in midfield. Manchester City will be without captain Vincent Kompany, who is still sidelined with a thigh injury. That means one of either Joleon Lescott or Javi Garcia will partner Matija Nastasic at centre-back. Midfielder Jack Rodwell, who has been suffering from a hamstring problem, has not travelled to the Russian capital. (BBC)
Key Stats
CSKA Moscow have failed to score in four of their six Champions League games against English sides. Their only win against English opposition came in October 2006 against Arsenal. Manchester City have won four of their 14 Champions League games (four draws, six defeats) and only one of their last eight (v Viktoria Plzen). Manchester City have lost five of their seven away games in the Champions League (two wins). CSKA have won three of their last 12 Champions League games (three draws, six defeats). (Eurosport)
Likely Line-Ups
CSKA Moscow Akinfeev, Berezoutski, Ignashevitch, Berezoutski, Nababkin, Honda, Wernbloom, Milanov, Zuber, Tosic, Musa Man City Hart, Zabaleta, Nastasic, Lescott, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Toure, Nasri, Aguero, Silva, Negredo
Match Preview
Manchester City travel to Russia for their next Champions League game in Group D and know they can not afford another defeat if they are to qualify for the knock-out stages for the first time. The 2011-12 Premier League champions were humbled 3-1 by defending European champions Bayern Munich in their last game and need three points here to consolidate second place. Opponents CSKA are level with the Citizens on three points and with Bayern playing pointless Viktoria Plzen, both sides will know three points is crucial for their qualification hopes. Not only will City be playing a difficult-to-beat CSKA side that includes Keisuke Honda and former Manchester United man Zoran Toši, but they will also have to cope with awful pitch conditions. The Arena Khimki is in a poor state - having taken heavy rain for the past month, CSKA have not played a game there since August 30. City boss Manuel Pellegrini condemned the state of the pitch earlier this week, and it will be interesting to see how his side cope with the adverse conditions.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
