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The odds look stacked against Manchester City making it past the group stages of the Champions League. Not only must they beat group leaders Bayern Munich, but Man City also need group whipping boys Villarreal to avoid defeat to a strong Napoli side. And if, as expected, City are knocked out, the Guardian’s Dominic Fifield believes it would be rather an embarrassing exit for the ambitious Premier League leaders.

“I’m sure they’ll pour everything into trying to beat Bayern Munich, and they may well get a result because Bayern will probably arrive with a second string,” explains Dominic. “But then Napoli should get a result against Villarreal and knock Man City out.

“That’s actually a big set-back,” he says. “Because Man City are so geared now towards success, and because it was such a big thing for them to get into the Champions League in the first place. To not actually get beyond Christmas, I think is quite humilating, to be honest.

“But, it would give them the opportunity to concentrate on winning the Premier League title, which at the moment they look as if they are going to do.”

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