Prediction: Man City win
Best Odds: 2/7
Bookmaker: 888sport
The UEFA Champions League is officially back after a few months away and we’re down to the nitty-gritty with just 16 teams left in the race to become European champions. There will be a whole host of clubs that believe they could go on a nice run all the way to the final and one of them, Manchester City, will continue their quest against Sporting Lisbon in the first leg this week.
Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon have enjoyed a solid enough season up to this point but if they want to take things a step further, they’ll want to put it all on the line in this first leg to give themselves something to hold onto when they head to the Etihad. With a lively crowd behind them, it’s not unthinkable to assume they could really put the cat amongst the pigeons with a strong display tomorrow night.
Team News
Pote is considered to be a fitness doubt here but regardless of Coates, Tabata and Palhinha all being sent off at the weekend, they’ll be available for this fixture.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola is hungry to add the European Cup to his list of achievements in Manchester but up to this point, there seems to have been a mental block within his team that has prevented them from going that extra mile. They’ve got a talented squad but with the title race still not being 100% decided, they’ll need to be careful about their team selection.
Team News
Walker is suspended for this game with the other confirmed injury absences being Grealish and Jesus.
Factors to Consider
- Man City finished 1st in Group A whereas Sporting finished 2nd in Group C.
- Sporting have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.
- Man City have won five and drawn one of their last six games.
- Sporting have scored 13 goals and conceded eight in their last six games.
- Man City have scored 16 goals and conceded three in their last six games.
Conclusion
Manchester City are one of the favourites to lift the trophy for a reason and while we don’t think they’re going to stick their neck out and put on a clinic here, we do think they’ll have enough in the tank to overcome Sporting. It’s going to be a tense opening 45 minutes but City will string a few decisive passages of play together, taking a 2-0 lead into the second leg in the process.
Prediction: Man City win
Best Odds: 2/7
Bookmaker: 888sport
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