Many believe that Manchester City's current Champions League group is more favourable than the previous two that they were dealt, but this one has still paired them with last season's winners Bayern Munich.

The German giants, who City play host to on Wednesday night, were arguably the best side in Pot One, having defeated Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund in May's final at Wembley.

It was probably not the draw that City's new manager Manuel Pellegrini wanted either. He has come up against Bayern coach Pep Guardiola eight times with Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga, but was never able to get the better of the 42-year-old's Barcelona side.

On the pitch, Pellegrini has a near fully fit squad to select from, with defender Martin Demichelis the only confirmed absentee. Sergio Aguero missed the weekend's defeat at Aston Villa, but he is expected to return for the European clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Meanwhile, visiting Bayern will be without Spanish midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez, as well as defender Holger Badstuber, who has a knee ligament injury.

Mario Gotze has not featured for Guardiola's side since the UEFA Super Cup last month in Prague because of an ankle injury, but reports have claimed that he will be included in the squad on Wednesday.

Bayern last travelled to Manchester in 2011 and were 2-0 losers, but they had already qualified for the knockout stages, while City were forced to settle for third place.

Recent form

Man City: DWWWWL

Bayern: DWWWWW

Possible starting lineups

Man City: Hart; Clichy, Kompany, Nastasic, Zabaleta; Fernandinho, Toure, Navas, Nasri; Negredo, Aguero

Bayern: Neuer; Alaba, Dante, Boateng, Rafinha; Lahm; Ribery, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Robben; Mandzukic

Sports Mole says: 1-1

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