Manchester City make four changes to the starting XI named for the 2-0 defeat of Everton on Saturday afternoon. Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker come in for Julián Álvarez, Matheus Nunes, Jérémy Doku and Manuel Akanji, all of whom drop to the bench.
København haven’t played since they beat Galatasaray 1-0 in their final group game, two months and one day ago. They’ve made two changes to their starting XI from that game. Lukas Lerager, who scored the winner against the Cimbom only to get himself sent off during the last knockings, is suspended, while Peter Ankersen drops to the bench. They’re replaced by Magnus Mattsson and, making his club debut after joining on loan from Nottingham Forest, Scott McKenna.
Manchester City are the quintuple-winning European and world champions. Copenhagen are playing in the knockout stage of the Champions League for only the second time. Manchester City have won all of their last ten games. Copenhagen haven’t played in two months because of Denmark’s winter break. Manchester City beat Copenhagen 5-0 last season. Copenhagen have never beaten Manchester City.
But! In football, you never know. Copenhagen may have never beaten City, but they’ve never lost at home to them either, holding the champions-elect 0-0 last time round, and drawing 2-2 in a 2009 Europa League fixture. In addition, they won the last match against English opposition at the Parken Stadium, that absurd 4-3 comeback victory over Manchester United during this season’s groups. So while City are the hottest of favourites tonight – and for the overall tie, and for the overall competition – you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT, 9pm in Copenhagen. It’s on!