Manchester City's Champions League showdown with Juventus on Wednesday night is 'a game of the highest importance' for Pep Guardiola's side, Citizens expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole.
Guardiola and co travel to Turin having won just one of their last nine matches across all competitions, most recently coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace in the Premier League last weekend.
Man City's title hopes are hanging by the thinnest of threads as they currently sit fourth in the top-flight standings and are eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who now have a game in hand following the postponement of the Merseyside derby.
There is the small matter of Manchester derby bragging rights at stake on Sunday, but the Citizens must first shift their attention back to the Champions League and will endeavour to avoid going three games without a win in the newly-formed League Phase after dropping five points across their last two fixtures in the competition.
Indeed, a heavy 4-1 loss at Sporting Lisbon was followed by a disappointing 3-3 home draw with Feyenoord a fortnight ago - a game in which they threw away a three-goal lead with less than 15 minutes remaining - and they have subsequently slipped to 20th in the 36-team table, four points behind the top eight.
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Man City under pressure to claim positive result against Juventus
Man City are currently at risk of failing to secure an automatic place in the last 16 of the Champions League, and if they wish to avoid entering the last-16 playoffs next year, they must pick up valuable points across their remaining three fixtures, with two challenging trips to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain followed by a home encounter with Club Brugge.
Discussing the importance of Wednesday's match, McInerney told Sports Mole, "It's everything. They absolutely have to (get a positive result). There's a real worry that City might drop out. They're definitely going to [miss out on the top eight] as it currently stands.
"Man City do not need two more fixtures right now (last-16 playoffs next year), they really desperately don't because the amount of games is already crucifying City as it is, so this game [against Juventus] is of the highest importance for Manchester City.
"If City can get a victory here, you would presume two victories would get them into the top eight. Not a guarantee, but you would think it would do, even with a loss in one of the other games. Six points gives them a very good chance of getting in the top eight."
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Should Man City be confident of success against Juventus?
While Man City's poor run of form has been well-documented, Juventus head into Wednesday's fixture having won just two and drawn seven of their last nine matches in all competitions, drawing each of their last four including a goalless stalemate with Aston Villa in the Champions League.
Thiago Motta's side came from two goals down to salvage a point in a 2-2 Serie A draw with Bologna last weekend and they currently sit sixth in the Italian top-flight table, seven points behind leaders Atalanta BC.
Like Man City, Juve also have work to do in the Champions League if they are to secure an automatic last-16 spot, as they are currently down in 22nd place and are level on points with the Citizens just two places above them.
Ahead of Wednesday's intriguing contest, McInerney has spoken with Sports Mole senior reporter Oliver Thomas about Man City's "tough" test against Juventus and has shared his thoughts on whether Guardiola's side will rise to the challenge versus a side who are "not quite as sparkling as Juventus teams of yesteryears".
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion.
Oliver Thomas
