Verdict: Manchester City win and under four goals
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Unibet
Seeking a real bounce in midweek, Manchester City will turn their attention back to Champions League duties when they make the trip to Olympiakos on Wednesday evening.
Olympiakos
Starting with the hosts, managing to pick up a 1-0 win against former Greek heavyweights Panathinaikos over the weekend, Olympiakos will be desperate to build off of that result if they’re to pull off what would be a real Champions League upset in midweek. Opening Wednesday’s fixtures sat third in Group C and sat three points adrift of leapfrogging Porto to that lucrative final spot in the knockout stage, Pedro Martins’ men will undoubtedly be glad to make a return to home soil after their eventual hammering away at the Etihad earlier in the month. Hit with a 3-0 drumming in Manchester and extending on what has been a woeful Champions League record on foreign soil, Olympiakos will take plenty of solace from their European record at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Including a 1-0 win against Marseille last month, the hosts have lost just one of their last eight Champions League contests on home soil.
Team News
Jose Holebas (hamstring) and Wolves loanee Ruben Vinagre (ankle) are doubts for Olympiakos.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have dominated large spells of proceedings in North London over the weekend, the Sky Blues were hit with a 2-0 defeat against Spurs. In the midst of what has been a hugely worrying start to the 2020/2021 campaign, Pep Guardiola’s side have collected just 12 points in England’s top-flight so far this season, their lowest points total at this stage of a Premier League season since 2008. With some even starting to question the former Barcelona boss, City find themselves sat way down in 13th and they have shockingly struggled with their performances in front of goal. Drawing a blank in the capital on Saturday, the midweek guests have bagged just 10 Premier League strikes this season, their worst record over the past 14 years. Despite their domestic issues, it should be noted that Guardiola’s men have won each of their three Group C matchups so far this season and are cruising their way to the knockout stage.
Team News
Manchester City’s injury problems have eased ahead of their Champions League Group C trip to Olympiakos with Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy returning to training.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off at the Etihad earlier in the month, Manchester City picked up a 3-0 victory.
- The Sky Blues have also won each of their three Champions League matchups so far this season by an aggregate score of 9-1.
- Olympiakos have lost just one of their last eight Champions League matchups on home soil.
- Wednesday’s guests have scored just 10 Premier League goals so far this year, their worst tally at this stage since 2006.
- Only two of Olympiakos’ last 10 Champions League contests on home soil have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
While Manchester City might be seen as a landslide pick to make an immediate return to winning ways in midweek, they could face a stern test on foreign soil. Hit with that 2-0 defeat away at Spurs over the weekend, Pep Guardiola’s side are desperately seeking another Champions League boost on Wednesday evening. Continuing on what has been a hugely worrying start domestically, the Sky Blues will at least take some solace from their European performances. Winning each of their three Group C matchups, we’re backing an away victory in midweek while we do expect only a handful of goals.
Verdict: Manchester City win and under four goals
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Unibet
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