FC Copenhagen – Manchester City : Preview & Prediction
Copenhagen’s fifth appearance in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage – and first since the 2016/17 season – has not gone according to plan, as they remain one of two teams yet to score after failing to win in their first three matches (E1, P2). A 1-1 draw at home to Nordsjaelland over the weekend extended Copenhagen’s run of poor results, who have now won just one of their last seven games (E2, P4).
Perhaps home advantage can help turn the tide, as the Parken Stadium has seen Copenhagen lose in just one of its last 13 UCL home games (G6, E6), although the last three have ended 0-0. However, that record may be in serious jeopardy when they host Manchester City after losing 5-0 last week, plus Copenhagen have beaten English opposition just once in their history (E4, P7).
There are few superlatives left to describe this Manchester giants, who have now won six games in a row, scoring an impressive 24 goals in the process. Part of that streak is their three wins to open their UCL campaign that has them sitting top of Group G qualifying, and City could now secure their presence in the knockout stage with a win here.
But Pep Guardiola will know he can’t take all three points for granted just yet, considering his side have lost two of their last four away games in the UCL group stage (G2). This is City’s first trip to Denmark since the 2008/09 campaign, when they visited twice, defeating Aalborg BK on penalties in the UEFA Cup, and drawing 2-2 against Copenhagen before that.
Players to watch: Copenhagen will be relying on one of their domestic goalscorers, Viktor Claesson, to finally get them on the scoreboard, and if it happens, it will likely be in the opening minutes of the game, given that he has scored five of his last seven goals before halftime. However, it is more likely to be City’s Erling Haaland who will steal the spotlight as he continues his near-perfect start for the Sky Blues, especially as he has scored twice in seven of his last nine UCL appearances.
Key stat: Goals have been scored in both halves in 15 of City’s last 17 matches.
FC Copenhagen – Manchester City : Betting Tips
OVER 3.5 GOALS Odds: 2.25
