In-form Aguero will help Man City see off CSKA Moscow with ease

Manchester City – CSKA MoscowDate: Tuesday 5th NovemberVenue: The Etihad Stadium

KO: 19:45

Manchester City start the second half of their Champions League group stage against CSKA Moscow, who they beat 2-1 in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago.Sergio Aguero scored twice to win all three points for City who fell behind to Zoran Tosic’s goal in the first half. City are second in Group D and are looking to close the gap on Bayern Munich who have been rampant so far. A win over CSKA at the Etihad stadium will move City six points clear in second place with just two matches remaining, almost guaranteeing qualification to the knock-out stages for the first time.

Team news:

Manchester City

Manuel Pellegrini will start with Costel Pantilimon in goal again as Joe Hart continues to be ‘rested’ by Manuel Pellegrini after his poor form. Club captain Vincent Kompanyand Stevan Jovetic will miss out again as they recover from a groin and calf strain, respectively.

CSKA Moscow

Alan Dzagoev is the only notable omission from the CSKA side that have won just one of their opening three Champions League matches this season. He is close to a return to action as he has been out injured with a thigh injury since September.

Recent form

Manchester City have won two and lost one – to Bayern Munich – in Group D so far. They have recently knocked seven goals past a hapless Norwich City and have all of their top players on form. They are fifth in the Premier League and will be hoping for another win tonight to almost guarantee progression to the knock-out stages of the Champions League.

CSKA have won their last two matches in the Russian Premier League, scoring seven and conceding two. However their European form has been poor as they have just one win in three matches so far.

Players to watch

Manchester City - Sergio Aguero

The Argentine is in superb form this season and is currently the joint-top goal scorer in the Premier League with eight goals. He has scored seven goals in his last five league matches and has also assisted four goals. He has scored eight goals from 17 shots on target. Aguero scored both of City’s goals in the away win during the reverse fixture.

If City play well, he will probably score.

CSKA Moscow - Keisuke Honda

Honda has always been a talented player in the final third of the pitch and he will be the biggest threat to City tonight. In the league this season, he has made 27 key passes in 14 matches, assisting one goal. He has an average shot accuracy of 53% and has also scored one goal.

He will drift in between City’s defence and midfield so Fernandinho will need to be alert otherwise Honda will punish them.

Prediction

Manchester City are too strong for CSKA. The Russian side does have some talented players in Honda and Zoran Tosic but City’s squad is far superior. I predict an easy win for the home side.

Manchester City 3-0 CSKA Moscow