Coral’s Champions League combined XI: Juventus v Manchester City

Centre back: Nicolas Otamendi

Otamendi has quietly gone about his business this term, since his big-money move in the summer, and takes his place in this XI with his captain Vincent Kompany highly unlikely to feature.

Centre back: Giorgio Chiellini

Along with Buffon, Chiellini has been a stalwart for Juventus (13/10 to win) and Italy for over a decade, and would get into any team in the world.

Left back: Aleksandar Kolarov

Patrice Evra threatened to get in ahead of Kolarov, but the Serb has put in a number of fine performances for City (23/10 match chances) this season in all competitions and the Frenchman is also carrying a knock.

Right wing: Kevin De Bruyne

What a signing De Bruyne has turned out to be for the Manchester club, despite his huge summer fee, as the Belgian has already knocked in seven goals for his new side playing in a number of attacking positions.

Centre midfield: Paul Pogba

No matter how much praise Sir Alex Ferguson rightly gets for his work with City’s bitter rivals Manchester United, he was undoubtedly wrong to let Pogba go. The young Frenchman could even end up at the Etihad in future seasons, having been continuously linked with them, perhaps as a replacement for the below player?

Centre midfield: Yaya Toure

Despite his advancing years, Toure simply has to get in this team, ahead of the likes of teammates Fernando, Fernandinho and even Juventus stars Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira. What a sight it would be to see Toure and Pogba playing side-by-side in the heart of a midfield, rotating roles to destroy various opposition.

Left wing: Raheem Sterling

David Silva would usually be one of the first names in any XI but, with the Spaniard a serious doubt for this clash, Sterling makes the cut. The former Liverpool winger has certainly taken his chance in Silva’s absence, though, so would not look out of place.

Striker: Mario Mandzukic

Croatian Mandzukic has had a fairly injury-hit start to life in Turin, but has still managed four goals in all competitions and netted against City in the reverse leg. He is 5/4 to score anytime again.

Striker: Sergio Aguero

Likewise with Mandzukic, Aguero has had his fair share of injury troubles this term, but that has not stopped him firing in nine times in 12 appearances. He has an astonishing six goals in his last two Premier League games, and so is 5/1 to strike first here.

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Check out our other Champions League content, where you’ll find our previews for the current midweek fixtures.