Pep Guardiola has perfect scenario for Man City double bluff before Sporting Lisbon showdown

Pep Guardiola must be an absolute nightmare to play poker against.

Boasting more than four aces in his Manchester City pack, unpredictability - or rotation in footballing terms - has become a trademark for the revolutionary Spaniard ever since he touched down in the Premier League five and a half years ago.

You might argue that was to his and City's detriment in the Champions League showpiece last season.

However, there are signs Guardiola has learned from going all-in on his biggest night and you might expect a more measured hand should City go all the way to the Gazprom Arena, St Petersburg, in May.

Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea were as surprised as anyone by the omission of a holding midfielder in Porto.

While it was not the only factor in City losing out on the big one, laying out a more sensible set might have ended the club's European hoodoo. Hindsight, as they say, is a wonderful thing.

Certainly by Guardiola's standards, anyway, there has been a rhythmic feel to his team this campaign.

Given the stacked fixture programme - across three competitions - rotation is part and parcel of the modern game. But if you had to throw all your chips on the stack, you would be well-placed to name a City starting XI if they were handed an immediate shot at Champions League redemption.

Instead, the first part of a crucial triple header awaits. But which way will Guardiola go?

There are six days for City to prepare for the first leg of their last-16 showdown with Sporting Lisbon.

Sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League standings, intervening games against Brentford and Norwich - with all due respect - do not represent the biggest challenges that await this season. However, as proven by neighbours Manchester United