Manchester City know that victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday night will secure them a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Pep Guardiola’s side looked to be struggling in Group C following their 4-0 defeat at Barcelona back on October 19, but their 3-1 victory over Luis Enrique’s side at the Etihad a few weeks ago means that they are well on course to make it through to the knock-out stages.

Their tally of seven points is three better than their German opponents, who really need a win to have any chance of making it to the last 16.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Monchengladbach beat Celtic in Glasgow but could only draw with Brendan Rodgers’ side last time out, and they will not have fond memories of Guardiola’s City, who thumped them 4-0 at the Etihad back in September.

Nonetheless, they have lost just two of their 21 home league games, and gave Barcelona a run for their money when the Catalans came away with a narrow 2-1 success back in September.

With a trip to Burnley in the early kick-off on Saturday coming up for City, Guardiola may need to freshen things up given the lack of recovery time between the two matches, so here are THREE players who deserve an opportunity on Wednesday…

Kelechi Iheanacho

Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

Sergio Aguero looked a bit short of match fitness against Crystal Palace on Saturday after a tricky international break with Argentina, and he could be rested against Monchengladbach on Wednesday.

Consequently, Kelechi Iheanacho could lead the line as City look to book their place in the last 16.

The Nigerian international deputised impressively in Aguero’s absence at the start of the campaign, netting against Manchester United and Bournemouth, and Guardiola will want to know whether he can continue to come in and do a job for the side, as he may need to do so more regularly as the season goes on.

Iheanacho has appeared 12 times for the club this season, and could add to that tally on Wednesday.

Fernando

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Despite Yaya Toure’s excellent display against Crystal Palace on Saturday, he is not in City’s 21-man Champions League squad, and so won’t be making the trip to Monchengladbach on Wednesday.

His absence could open the door for Fernando to get a rare start, with the Brazilian looking to build on his 12 appearances for the club this season.

The 29-year-old is not first choice ahead of Fernandinho in the defensive midfield role but, as above with Iheanacho, Guardiola may need to rely on him later in the season, so seeing if he is up to speed and ready to start could be invaluable for the City boss.

Leroy Sane

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

An exciting young talent who, when he’s played for City this season, looks to be a real prospect, Leroy Sane could use his pace and trickery to unlock a stubborn Monchengladbach defence on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old has started just four times for City since his £37 million move from Schalke in the summer, with his four other appearances coming off the bench.

Guardiola may want to freshen things up as his side travel to Burnley on Saturday, so Sane may get the nod ahead of Raheem Sterling or Nolito.