Manchester City welcome Barcelona to the Etihad Stadium this evening looking to avenge their 4-0 pummelling by the Spanish champions two weeks ago.

City were outplayed by Luis Enrique’s side in the second half a fortnight ago, although they should take the positives from how well they matched them in the first half into tonight’s game.

Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola’s side could really do with getting a positive result this evening, as Borussia Monchengladbach’s win at Celtic two weeks ago has put them back in the running for a top two spot.

City though finally ended a run of no win in six by thumping West Brom 4-0 at the Hawthorns on Saturday, with Sergio Aguero getting back on the scoresheet with a brace for Guardiola’s side.

The result means that they remain top of the Premier League, ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool on goal difference, which gives them some much-needed confidence going into tonight’s match against Barcelona.

Unsurprisingly, Guardiola’s appointment has given City fans optimism that he might be able to end their disappointing record in Europe by winning the competition this season.

Thus, here are THREE reasons why City can go all the way and win the Champions League…

Manager who has been there and done it

Although he didn’t win the Champions League in charge at Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola is one of the most successful managers in the history of the competition.

His tally of two titles, both with Barcelona, means that he sits alongside a whole host of great managers like Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson in winning the competition twice, but still one behind Carlo Ancelotti and Bob Paisley, who lead the way with three.

Nevertheless, Guardiola clearly knows how to negotiate his way through the competition.

His side’s draw at Celtic and heavy loss at Barcelona won’t faze him too much, as he knows that there are still three matches to go, two of which are at the Etihad.

Having a manager like that, with a track record in Europe like he’s got, is going to give any club a lift, and it might well do the same with City.

Last season’s experience vital

City’s record in the Champions League, since they started qualifying for it regularly in 2011, has been pretty poor.

Two last 16 appearances and two group stage exits wasn’t reflective of the quality in the City side, but they got it together last year under Manuel Pellegrini, and reached the semi-finals.

They negotiated a tricky group, which included Juventus and Sevilla, and then got past Dynamo Kiev and Paris Saint-Germain before succumbing to Real Madrid in the last four.

Nevertheless, as many of that City side remain at the Etihad, that experience of going deep last season and matching the top sides will be invaluable going into this season’s knock-out phase, should they get through the group.

Having that know-how on getting to the latter stages could seriously benefit Guardiola’s men if and when they get there again.

Quality attacking players

Guardiola has a number of excellent attacking options at City, many of which would get into the top teams around Europe.

In Sergio Aguero, they possess one of the best strikers in world football, and one that has time and again proved his worth in the Premier League, and in Kevin De Bruyne, they have a man re-born after a tricky spell at Chelsea to become one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League.

Add in the technically brilliant David Silva, and the likes of Raheem Sterling, Nolito, and Leroy Sane, and there is more than enough pace, power, and trickery to get you through a competition like this.

City at times have looked irresistible this season, and can score goals for fun when those attacking players are confident and in-form – they just need to translate that more regularly into European competition.