Manchester City vs PSG preview: Manuel Pellegrini's men hold slim advantage

A look ahead to the Champions League fixture at the Etihad Stadium

(2015 Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC: The Swede scored in the first leg last week – and against Chelsea in the previous round - but was outfoxed from the penalty spot by Joe Hart and also blasted a presentable chance over the bar, and will be keen to prove his worth in a country where he has often been accused of not performing. PSG’s hopes of reaching the last four could well rest on the success of Zlatan’s night.

Best stat…

Both previous meetings of these two have ended in draws – last week’s 2-2 first leg following a goalless Uefa Cup tie at the Etihad in 2008. Current squad members Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta all started the tie eight years ago.

City’s current run – two wins from four matches – represents their worst sequence in 13 months.

Remember when…

Paris Saint-Germain’s only previous visit to Manchester – either United or City – was a dead rubber of a match in the last season of the Uefa Cup. Just 25,000 turned up as an already-through and under-strength City stumbled to a point.

Player to watch…

KEVIN DE BRUYNE

The Belgian playmaker recently returned from two months out with a knee injury and instantly showed what City had been missing in his absence, scoring on his return at Bournemouth and following that with the opener in last Wednesday’s first leg. City missed the Belgian’s creativity and goal threat, winning just four of 12 games as they slipped out of contention in the Premier League title race and exited the FA Cup. Kept in relative reserve in last weekend’s win over West Brom, the Belgian should be ready to help City reach the last four of the Champions League for the first time.

Past meetings…

Paris Saint-Germain 2 (Ibrahimovic, Rabiot) Manchester City 2 (De Bruyne, Fernandinho), Champions League, April 2016

Manchester City 0 Paris Saint-Germain 0, Uefa Cup, December 2008

Form guide…

Manchester City: DDLWDW

PSG: WWLWDW

Vital information…

Kick-off: 7.45pm BST

TV: Live on BT Sport Europe (Highlights Wednesday, ITV)