Prediction: Manchester City vs Bayern Munich

Verdict: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what is a heavyweight Champions League showdown on Tuesday night, Manchester City will welcome Bayern Munich to the Etihad for their first-leg meeting.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might face a real uphill battle if they are to defend their Premier League crown this year, Pep Guardiola’s men are enjoying a recent purple patch. Last seen over the weekend picking up some perfect momentum as they claimed a 4-1 romp at home against relegation scrappers Southampton, the former Barcelona boss finds his side tipped as a standout pick to claim a first European crown in 2023. Continuing to shine on either side of the international break, the English giants are enjoying an eight-match winning run across all formats. With their extended flurry stemming all the way back to February 22nd, the Sky Blues have also found a real clinical edge in the final third. Marking their return from the fortnight interval earlier in the month thanks to another 4-1 win against Liverpool, it should be noted that Guardiola’s high-flying squad have notched a staggering 31 strikes on their eight-match winning run.

Team News

Yet to make an appearance since undergoing appendix surgery during the international break, Phil Foden will once again miss out here. However, aside from the 22-year-old, Guardiola has reported a clean bill of health ahead of Tuesday’s first-leg meeting at the Etihad.

Once again bagging another Premier League brace against Southampton over the weekend, attacking talisman Erling Haaland will spearhead Guardiola’s charge on Tuesday night. Likewise, now recording back-to-back top-flight strikes, England international Jack Grealish should keep his spot in attack.

Bayern Munich

As for the visitors, shocking many during the international break as it was announced that Thomas Tuchel would be taking over at the Allianz, Bayern Munich still have the feel of a squad seeking some recent stability. Although the former Chelsea boss might have seen his side make a crucial return to winning ways last weekend, the German giants did come under real scrutiny for their DFP Pokal exit on April 4th. Shockingly getting hit with a last-gasp 2-1 loss at the hands of Freiburg, Tuchel’s new squad will be more than aware that they face a huge Champions League tussle on Tuesday night. While Bayern might have laid down a major European marker last month as they cruised their way to a 3-0 aggregate romp against PSG, the midweek guests could be worried by their most recent trip to Manchester. Suffering an action-packed 3-2 defeat when they traveled to the Etihad in November 2014, Tuchel’s camp will be desperate to avoid a hefty first-leg hammering on foreign soil.

Team News

In what looks set to be a real blow for Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, Tuchel will be unable to call upon Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting. Likewise, the German giants will also be without the likes of Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez and Mathys Tel in midweek.

Serving a domestic suspension against Freiburg over the weekend, defender Dayot Upamecano looks set to make a full return at the Etihad. While former Liverpool ace Said Mane might have failed to bag a single domestic strike since opening 2023, the 31-year-old should once again join Serge Gnabry in attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two European giants last met on Champions League duties in November 2014, Manchester City picked up a 3-2 victory at the Etihad.
• Likewise, the Premier League giants have won each of their last eight straight appearances across all competitions.
• The Sky Blues have also notched a staggering 31 strikes on that eight-match winning run.
• Despite claiming a 1-0 win away at Freiburg last weekend, Bayern Munich have recorded just one clean sheet in their last five appearances.
• Tuesday’s guests have seen eight of their last nine Champions League appearances finish with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Bayern Munich might have managed to make an immediate return to winning ways last weekend, the German giants will know that they face a huge challenge on Tuesday night. Watching City storm their way to a routine 4-1 romp at home against Southampton a few days ago, the midweek hosts have only continued to shine on their eight-match winning run. Notching a staggering 31 strikes on their recent purple patch, Guardiola’s side should also be excited by Bayern’s last trip to the Etihad. Claiming a 3-2 win when they welcomed the Bavarians to Manchester in November 2014, we are expecting a similar enjoyable home victory here.

Verdict: Manchester City win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet