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Man City vs Atalanta match preview: Prediction, team news, injuries and line up
Manchester City will welcome Italian side Atalanta to the Etihad for the third matchday in the Champions League group stage tonight. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Group C clash.
Man City: Guardiola says the 'broadcasters are the bosses'
Manchester City are favourites to win this season’s Champions League and are currently topping Group C following victories over Shakhtar Donetsk and Dinamo Zagreb.
Tonight the Citizens welcome Italian side Atalanta to the Etihad for a clash that should see City retain their place at the top of their group.
In the Champions League, the sides had contrasting fortunes on Matchday 2 with City seeing off Dynamo Zagreb 2-0, while Atalanta were beaten 2-1 at home by Shakhtar in stoppage time.
MANCHESTER CITY VS ATALANTA - LIVE STREAM AND TV CHANNEL INFO
Tuesday’s clash will be the first time the teams have faced each other - and the first time Pep Guardiola and Gian Piero Gasperini have gone head to head.
Ahead of the clash tonight, Gasperini revealed the kind gesture his rival made after he was sacked at Inter Milan just five games in.
He said: "He made a really nice gesture towards me and I can't forget that. This makes this occasion even more poignant.
"When I was sacked by Inter he called me and invited me to go to Barcelona to see them. It was a very nice gesture from a human point of view at a very difficult moment for me."
Ahead of the match tonight, Kolo Toure gave his verdict on the fixture - and says the future looks bright for his former club.
He said he believes it is now a case of when not if City will lift the famous trophy, adding: “For me, City are ready to win the Champions League.
“Last season they were unlucky not to qualify for the final – but the Champions League is coming.”
Manchester City team news and injuries
City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed both Kyle Walker and Nicolas Otamendi had been in training ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash.
The defenders missed Saturday's 2-0 win away to Crystal Palace, but Guardiola said both are nearing returns.
Walker has been out with a virus, while Otamendi suffered a blow on international duty with Argentina.
READ MORE: Guardiola wants more from Jesus as he praises Man City star's hunger
Man City: Guardiola says the 'broadcasters are the bosses'
However, French defender Aymeric Laporte and German winger Leroy Sane remain on the sidelines.
Guardiola has told his players they must improve if they are to finally conquer Europe.
He said on Monday: “We are able to score goals because last season we scored a lot of goals.
“This season we are not incredibly strong in the box and that is why we have to improve.
“Tomorrow we have this chance. We need six more points to qualify and tomorrow is an incredible step forward. We will see how we are in February.”
Atalanta team news and injuries
The Italian side are without their leading scorer, Colombian striker Duvan Zapata, while Russian midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi is also an injury doubt.
Predicted line up
Man City possible starting XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Stones, Otamendi, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodri, D Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling
Atalanta possible starting XI: Gollini; Toloi, Palomino, Masiello; Castagne, Pasalic, De Roon, Gosens; Gomez; Ilicic, Muriel
What time does Man City vs Atalanta kick off?
Man City vs Atalanta will kick off at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester at 8pm on Tuesday, October 22.
Our prediction
Manchester City 3-0 Atalanta