Manchester City take on Basel in the Champions League Last 16 first-leg tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

Pep Guardiola has the luxury of being able to afford fielding his strongest line-up in the knockout rounds without having to be too concerned about the domestic league as the Premier League title race is all-but-over.

Guardiola will be without Leroy Sane, Benjamin Mendy, Fabian Delph and Gabriel Jesus. There is some good news on the injury front as David Silva is nearing a return.

The City boss faces a tough defensive decision over who to start at centre-back out of John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte.

Guardiola faces less of a headache upfront as the in-from Sergio Aguero is ready, coming off the back of a four-goal haul against Leicester City over the weekend.

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Midfielder of Turkish origin Ilkay Gundogan is also match fit and has been starting games regularly recently.

Gundogan is likely to get the nod again if Silva is rested again or deemed not fit enough to be named in the starting line-up.

City are the obvious favourites but have won just two of their last five away games in all competitions.

Additionally Basel have already beaten one Manchester side this season, overcoming Man United 1-0 at home in December during the group stage.