UEFA Champions League 2016/17: Five things to watch out for in this week's Champions League fixtures

#1 ‘Pep’ talk needed to inspire Manchester City as they welcome Barcelona

Guardiola will be hoping for a better display from his City side against his former team Barcelona

City's six-game winless run in all competitions ended with a rousing 4-0 success at West Brom on Saturday. The win came as a shot in the arm for Pep Guardiola and his side after a 1-0 derby defeat to United in the EFL Cup, following the 4-0 Group C loss against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Aguero returned to the starting XI against West Brom and left his mark with two wonderfully well-taken goals and should start against the Catalans, but Guardiola will be without first-choice goalkeeper Claudio Bravo who will serve a suspension after being sent off at Camp Nou. The lack of a recognized right-back is another cause of concern for the Citizens with both Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna unavailable.

With Barcelona coming in with a hot streak, winning five of their last six games, Guardiola’s side will need to put in a determined performance if they are to stand up to the La Liga champions who will also be without key players like Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique.

“We know we need to play almost perfectly to win but we will give it a go and hopefully our quality up front will make a difference,” said Guardiola ahead of the titanic clash. "We have to play in that way - like a final. It's not a final for them, it is a final for us,” he further added.

Will Guardiola’s cry for battle inspire the City players to put up a strong showing against the Catalans? Or will Messi, Suarez and Neymar make it rain goals at the Etihad? Not long before the world finds out.