Manchester City have a bad history with the UEFA Champions League. In their first two years they didn't even get out of the Group Stage and from then on, they've won exactly two games (non-consecutively) in six years.

However, with the 2019/20 Premier League season ending with them in a distant second place to Liverpool and a solid FA Cup run ending unceremoniously with a 2-0 loss to a mediocre Arsenal, the Champions League is now their only hope at winning more satisfying silverware than the EFL Cup.

Based on their performance against Real Madrid in the prolonged Round of 16, it seems like this could finally be their year. Without the league or other tournaments to worry about, City looked more focused on the pitch than they ever have before in the Champions League and with manager Pep Guardiola only half-joking when he says his time at the club will be a failure if he doesn't win it, they have even more impetus than usual to win.

That being said, the Madrid side fielded by Zidane was absolutely not his best. In February, they were outplayed, in August, they looked as if they weren't interested and wanted a break having long won their domestic league. They're also going into the game tonight at the Estadio Jose Alvalade without goal hunter Sergio Aguero.

They should still have a huge advantage over Lyon – but Juventus thought that too and ended up being knocked out 2-2 on away goals. The French side used to be top dogs of Ligue 1, then Qatari money came to Paris Saint-Germain and they have since become perennial contenders domestically.

The 2019/20 season has been their worst at home for a long time: It's the first time they have finished out of the top 5 since 1998 and their lowest points tally by 21 points this century and it's clear that this is because they have put so much energy into their European campaign. Since 2004/04, they've lost every second leg they've played in the Champions League so this new format will benefit them and give them confidence to succeed.

In 2019/20, their Group Stage was spread evenly with two wins, two losses and two draws, and then a win and a loss in the Round of 16 show Lyon are uneven and should be there for the taking. However, as seen in the Juventus tie, they're a canny team that plays in tight formations, aggressive going forward yet willing to park the bus if and when needed to maintain whatever marginal gains they secure.

They're driven and play with clear intent and it's this which is most likely to cause problems for City. Pep has a reputation as a master tactician and also as an overthinker, especially in knockout games where the smallest of errors can lead to elimination. If City can keep their cool and play the way they have done throughout the tournament so far, they should be fine, but if Lyon can crack them early or maintain a 0-0 and fight for penalties, they could make it to the semis.