
Pep Guardiola’s team earned their spot in the last 16 by beating Olympiacos 1-0 in their last outing in the competition, which put them on 12 points from a possible 12 at the top of Group C. Meanwhile, Porto are second in the group on nine points, having won all of their ties in the tournament this season with the exception of their opener against City in Manchester.
That contest was an entertaining 3-1 in favour of the hosts, who fell behind to an impressive Luis Diaz solo goal before netting through Sergio Aguero, Ilkay Gundogan and Ferran Torres. Will tonight’s rematch prove as hard-fought? Follow live updates from the Champions League game below.
Pep talks rotation
Pep Guardiola wants Man City to win at Porto in order to top Group C but he is considering using the full depth of his squad saying:
"We go there to get first place in the group stage. The important thing is done - to qualify - but we go to maintain our rhythm,
"The Premier League is the main priority in general terms. We have 19 players in the first team fit and all of them travel. They are a really difficult opponent and we need the best players possible.
"Some players are going to play who didn't play the previous game.
"There are a lot of games but I don't want them to feel this is rotation. Every game is played with the best players for the circumstances for a specific game."
Topping the table
Man City have already qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League after winning their opening four group matches.
Another victory over Porto will ensure they progress to the last 16 from the of top Group C. It won’t be easy as Porto have only lost to City in the group and Pep Guardiola may decide to rotate a few of his first team players.
No Aguero for City
Sergio Aguero will miss tonight’s match against Porto as he has a knee injury. The knock kept him from facing Burnley in the Premier League last Saturday and he hasn’t trained since.
"I am not concerned. He did not train. He had a little disturbance in his knee. It is nothing serious," said Man City manager Pep Guardiola.
WELCOME!
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Champions League match between Porto and Man City!
We’ll have the official line-ups shortly.
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