TIME for another blockbuster Champions League tie as Manchester City host Barcelona. What will happen? Let's ask Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79).
Manchester City v Barcelona | Tuesday 19:45 | ITV1
After performing heroics to reach this stage, Man City must have been gutted to be drawn against Barcelona in the Last 16.
The English side were on the brink of elimination after losing to CSKA Moscow at home on Matchday 4, but rallied incredibly well to secure victories against Bayern Munich and Roma in their last two fixtures to sneak through.
You'll recall these sides met in this round last season too, with the Spanish giants proving too strong 4-1 on aggregate. I'm keen to find out if City have learned from that. Surely those swashbuckling wins against Bayern and Roma have given them some belief?
After a dreadful January, the Etihad club have now scored nine goals in their last two matches. With Yaya Toure back in their arsenal and Wilfried Bony waiting in the wings the signs are a lot more optimistic. But can they hack it against Barcelona?
The Catalan club warmed up for this fixture by inexplicably losing to Malaga. Before that though they'd won 11 in a row and secured 21 victories from 23 matches. Incredible that some people were saying the club were in crisis earlier in the season.
There's no doubt they along with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid sit a level above the rest of the European elite but I can't be with them at 6/5 with BetVictor.
Man City have shown that when it really matters this season they can knuckle down and produce a strong performance. Their draw at Stamford Bridge sits alongside those wins against Bayern and Roma in the needed-a-performance, got-a-performance category.
The draw at 13/5 with 888 Sport looks big to me. Let's not forget Barcelona lost in Paris to PSG in the group stages and are certainly fallible. Over the two legs they should go through but they're worth opposing here from a price point of view.
I'm hoping City continue to evolve and learn from their Champions League endeavours and step up from the home loss they encountered in this fixture last season.
Best Bet
Manchester City v Barcelona – Draw (13/5 888 Sport)
10/1 Man City v 6/1 Barcelona
Well done Ladbrokes!
The London firm have enhanced the prices of both sides for this huge tie, so if you don't have an account with them get stuck in right here!
