Champions League play-offs mean extra Manchester City fixtures but can they take advantage?

ALL but one of the English clubs involved in Europe this season progressed directly to the round of 16.

Manchester City are the exception as they needed a win against Club Brugge just to scrape a spot in the Champions League play-off round having finished 22nd in the league phase.

Pep Guardiola's side must now beat Real Madrid, the most decorated club in the competition's history, over two legs if they are to join Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa in the last 16.

While this is a daunting prospect for the defending Premier League champions, it's another avenue to points for Dream Team managers.

At the time of writing, Man City are the only team with four fixtures to fulfil across the next two Gameweeks.

For comparison, Arsenal are currently scheduled to play just once in the same time frame.

The fixture list will change depending on this week's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg results but it's true to say that no team will have more point-scoring opportunities than City from now until the end of Gameweek 24.

Gaffers can expect a second-string team away to Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round this Saturday but Guardiola will name what he believes to be his strongest XI against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

It's worth repeating that the La Liga giants are far from favourable opponents and it wouldn't be a surprise if Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and company exposed City's defensive frailties.

Dream Team bosses should therefore be wary of backing Josko Gvardiol (£4.4m), John Stones (£3.4m) and other assets at risk of minus points if Carlo Ancelotti's side run riot.

Especially with Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham all to come before the end of February.

But the club's main attacking threats are viable options.

City have scored 29 goals in seven games since the turn of the year with points aplenty for Erling Haaland (£7.9m), Phil Foden (£6.6m) and Savinho (£4.3m).