Verdict: Phil Foden to score anytime
Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Facing what is a real must-win showdown on Wednesday night, Manchester City will welcome Club Brugge to the Etihad.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have suffered another infamous collapse away at PSG last week, Pep Guardiola’s men certainly claimed an immediate response over the weekend. Landing an eye-catching 3-1 victory against Chelsea on Saturday evening, the former Barcelona boss will be demanding a repeat performance here. However, although the Sky Blues might have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions, Man City remarkably open Wednesday’s showdown sat outside the knockout stage spots. Facing what is a real must-win battle at the Etihad, Guardiola’s side will take some solace from their recent success on home soil. Getting the New Year underway with a routine 4-1 victory against West Ham, they have won their last three consecutive matchups in the blue half of Manchester by an aggregate score of 15-2.
Manchester City Team News
While Egyptian ace Omar Marmoush might have only made his Manchester City debut on Saturday evening, the former Eintracht Frankfurt star is ineligible to feature here. All still dealing with respective injury issues, the likes of Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias and midfield talisman Rodri will miss out.
Once again finding the net against Chelsea and now notching six goals in his previous four Premier League appearances, Phil Foden will join Erling Haaland in the final third. Settling for a spot on the bench over the weekend, Kevin De Bruyne could be handed a full recall at the Etihad.
Club Brugge
As for the visitors, while Club Brugge might travel to Manchester on Wednesday night pencilled in as a landslide underdog, the Belgium giants are enjoying a real flurry. Losing just a pair of their seven Champions League appearances this season, Nicky Hayen’s men have gained a reputation for their rugged approach. Last seen among Europe’s elite snatching a 0-0 stalemate at home against Juventus, the midweek guests are sat in the driving seat to punch a knockout stage ticket. Despite eventually being forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against Kortrijk, Club Brugge are remarkably unbeaten in all of their previous 20 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to October 22nd. However, facing a heavyweight challenge here, it should be noted that Hayen’s side have landed just a sole Champions League victory on their travels since September 2022.
Club Brugge Team News
Heading into Wednesday’s trip to the Etihad, Club Brugge have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns. Forced to settle for a spot on the bench away at Kortrijk last weekend, Ecuadorian youngster Joel Ordonez should return at the heart of Hayen’s defence.
While former Barcelona starlet Ferran Jutgla might still be waiting to open his Champions League account, the 25-year-old should keep his spot leading the line. Former Liverpool shot-stopper Simon Mignolet will start between the sticks in Manchester.
Manchester City vs Club Brugge Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester City and Club Brugge last met back in November 2021, the Sky Blues collected a 4-1 victory on home soil.
- Man City have won each of their previous three home fixtures across all competitions by an aggregate score of 15-2.
- Phil Foden has recorded six goals in just his previous four Premier League appearances.
- Club Brugge are remarkably unbeaten in all of their last 20 consecutive appearances across all competitions.
- However, Wednesday’s guests have recorded just a single Champions League victory on foreign soil since September 2022.
Conclusion
Claiming an immediate response last weekend as they secured a 3-1 victory at home against Chelsea, Manchester City will be seeking a repeat performance here. Facing what is a real must-win showdown on Wednesday night, Guardiola’s camp will be excited by their recent success on home soil. Winning all of their last three showdowns at the Etihad by an aggregate score of 15-2, City will have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders. While Club Brugge might been enjoying a remarkable 20-match unbeaten run across all competitions, Wednesday’s guests have failed to find any kind of stability on foreign soil.
Verdict: Phil Foden to score anytime
Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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