Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to take another leap towards an essential Champions League ticket, Manchester City will welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad on Tuesday night.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have broken a string of unwanted records this season, Pep Guardiola’s men have turned somewhat of a recent corner. Mounting a late flurry away at Everton over the weekend as they eventually left Goodison Park with a 2-0 victory, the Sky Blues have won four of their previous five appearances across all competitions and they have not suffered a single defeat since March 8th. Extending on their FA Cup adventure last month and booking their semi-final spot thanks to a 2-1 win against Bournemouth, Man City have also found a recent clinical edge in the final third. Claiming what was a pulsating 5-2 victory against Crystal Palace in their last appearance at the Etihad, Guardiola’s camp will know the importance of extending on their Champions League charge here.
Manchester City Team News
Not featuring since the end of March after sustaining an ankle injury against Bournemouth on March 30th, attacking talisman Erling Haaland remains on the sidelines. Likewise, Guardiola will also be unable to call upon the likes of John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake on Tuesday night.
Making an immediate impact after completing a January switch from Eintracht Frankfurt, Egyptian striker Omar Marmoush will lead City’s charge here. Now on what is his Manchester farewell tour, Kevin De Bruyne should keep his spot from the start.
Aston Villa
As for the visitors, while Aston Villa might have suffered Champions League heartbreak earlier in the month as they fell to a 5-4 aggregate defeats against PSG, Unai Emery’s men certainly haven’t shown any signs of a hangover. Putting in what was a sensational performance over the weekend as they stormed their way to a 4-1 romp against Newcastle, Villa have continued to shine so far this calendar year. Skyrocketing themselves back into the European spots, it is just their goal difference that keeps them outside of the Champions League places. Booking their own FA Cup semi-final ticket on March 30th as they secured a 3-0 victory away at Championship outfit Preston, Tuesday’s guests have now won 10 of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 4-1 drumming against Crystal Palace on February 25th.
Aston Villa Team News
Heading into Tuesday’s trip to Manchester, Aston Villa have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about. Returning from a long-term injury issue earlier in the month, former Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley will be hoping to get more minutes under his belt.
Finding the net against Newcastle over the weekend and now notching consecutive Premier League goals, England international Ollie Watkins will be hoping to keep his spot leading the line. Tyrone Mings should keep his spot at the heart of Emery’s defence and partner Ezri Konsa.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester City and Aston Villa met for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 21st, Emery’s side collected a 2-1 victory in the Midlands.
- Man City have won four of their previous five meetings across all competitions.
- Despite their Champions League heartbreak, Aston Villa have won 10 of their last 11 appearances across all competitions.
- Man City have registered 12 goals in their last four showdowns at the Etihad.
- The Sky Blues have registered just a pair of Premier League clean sheets at the Etihad since December 4th.
Conclusion
Landing a sensational 2-1 victory when they welcomed Manchester City to the Midlands for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 21st, Aston Villa are more than capable of springing another upset here. Despite suffering Champions League heartbreak at the hands of PSG last week, Emery’s men haven’t shown any signs of a hangover and will be looking to make another heavyweight statement here. It should be noted, with seven of the last eight meetings between Manchester City and Aston Villa finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome on Tuesday night.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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