Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund: Champions League Quarter-Final 2021 First leg Preview

Manchester City continue their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple as they host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final first leg scheduled at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City beat Borussia Monchengladbach in the Round of 16, while Borussia Dortmund knocked out Sevilla. 

Pep has been very adamant to accept that City have a realistic chance of winning four trophies this term, but the Premier League leaders are just inches away to claim their first piece of silverware this season.

The ex-Barcelona boss has managed to grip the league several times in England, but his dream to land a Champions League trophy at a club apart from Barcelona is yet to happen.

Erling Haaland will be all set to face one of his potential clubs in the future despite the fact that Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of the club roping in a striker. 

Haaland is now the fastest in terms of clocking 20 Champions League goals, and he is well on course to be compared to the greats of the game if he keeps his consistency at this level for a decade.

Recent Form

Manchester City rested some of their main players against the Foxes, Leicester City who are third in the table. Not only did City win that game comfortably, but it also shows how dominant they are with their performances on the pitch.

Manchester City have just lost one game out of their last six in all competitions, the only loss coming to their Manchester rivals and second-placed Manchester United. 

However, Borussia Dortmund have not been anywhere near to City's form. Andre Silva's late winners spoiled Erling Haaland's goal as Eintracht Frankfurt beat Dortmund 2-1 on Saturday.

Edin Terzic and co do not seem to cement a spot in the top four in Bundesliga, so giving their absolute best is all they have left to do perfectly. Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in their last seven Champions League games, and a trip to the Etihad would be intriguing for the viewers.

Dortmund have won twice, lost twice, and drawn the same number of games in their last six games in all competitions.

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund: Team News

Man City have a fully-fit squad going in their quarter-final encounter against Borussia Dortmund but a booking to Joao Cancelo and Fernandinho would make them unavailable for the second leg. Otherwise, it will be interesting to see how Pep chooses his XI for the game.

For Dortmund, Jadon Sancho is ruled out due to a thigh problem. Axel Witsel and Dan-Axel Zagadou are unfit too.

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund: Predicted Lineups

Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Mendy; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Silva, Sterling, Foden

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Hitz; Can, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro; Delaney, Bellingham, Dahoud; Hazard, Haaland, Reus

Prediction

The game is expected to be under City's possession for the most part of the game. Dortmund will have to strike on the counter and they will have to be clinical in order to make it easier for themselves.

Manchester City are the stronger side on paper compared to Borussia Dortmund but in the Champions League? You never know. City have let some easy chances go in the past and it will be interesting to see what happens this time.

Sportco predicts Manchester City to win.