Hamburger SV vs Man City - Thurs 9Th Apr 19:45 pm

So here it is, the biggest game in the recent history of Manchester City Football Club. I am nervous and fearful that Hamburg could put the tie to bed tonight, but I am a City fan so bring it on.

First of all to be writing a City preview for the quarter final of European competition is great, the only bad thing about it is that I am getting more anxious by the minute.

I am not going to go into to much detail today about the match tonight because I don't think things like our formation or line up matter to much in this game. At this stage of a European competition away from home, it is mainly basics that matter. We know we are struggling with injuries so we must do the simple things well, if we work ourselves into the ground, pass well and defend well, we should hopefully still be able to go into the second leg able to win the tie.

If there was ever a game that we need every player to stand up and be counted in, it is this one. If we were to get beaten tonight it will take me a good few days to get over it, but if every player gives us their all it will make it easier. There is no reason why they shouldn't give their all and when you think about it if they do we are more than capable of winning, but it is City we are talking about so you never know what will happen.

City team news:
Kompany is out of the game with a hamstring injury and De Jong and Bojinov are ineligible. Stephen Ireland and Wayne Bridge are both in Germany but are still doubtful due to injury. A bit of good news is that Martin Petrov may play some part in the game. If Elano, Richards or Zabaleta were to be booked tonight they would miss the return leg due to suspension.

Hamburg team news:
Hamburg will be without Bastian Reinhardt, Thimothee Atouba, Romeo Castelen, Maxim Choupo-Moting, Guy Demel and Alex Silva who all miss out with injury. Paolo Guerrero and Collin Benjamin could play after being out injured, both returned to training this week.

Possible/hopeful Man City line up: Given, Richards, Dunne, Onuoha, Bridge, Zabaleta, Ireland, Elano, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Bellamy.

Possible Hamburg line up: Rost, Mathijsen, Gravgaard, Jansen, Jarolim, Tavares, Benjamin, Pitroipa, Aogo, Olic, Guerrero.

My prediction: Hamburg 1 - 2 Man City

Worth a bet: Wright-Phillips and Robinho score in a 1 - 2 City win.