Manchester City host FC Copenhagen at the Etihad on Wednesday, looking to book their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Manchester City picked up a 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen in the first leg at Parken, and they will be the firm favourites to secure another positive result here. The UEFA Champions League holders are in impressive form right now, with five wins and a draw from their last six matches across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Copenhagen have lost two of the last four matches in all competitions, and they will be massive underdogs heading into this game. They were comprehensively beaten at home and are likely to fall short once again, especially on the road.
It will be interesting to see if Pep Guardiola decides to rest some of his key players, especially with a key Premier League game against Liverpool coming up at the weekend. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
The Premier League champions will be without Jack Grealish because of a groin injury, and he is expected to return later this month. Manchester City are likely to shape up in a 4-1-4-1 formation against FC Copenhagen, with Ederson Moraes in goal.
Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake should be deployed as the full-backs. The two players will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. John Stones will feature at the heart of the defence alongside Ruben Dias.
Spanish international Rodri will start as the defensive midfielder, and he will look to protect the central defence and mop up opposition attacks. Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez will start in the attacking midfield roles.
The central duo will look to link up with striker Erling Haaland and create goal scoring opportunities for their teammates. Finally, Phil Foden and and Oscar Bobb will start in the wide areas. They will look to add creativity and width to the side from the flanks.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Bobb; Haaland
FC Copenhagen
The visitors will be without Viktor Claesson, Lucas Lerager, Theo Sander and David Khocholava. Sander and Khocholova are ruled out with knee injuries, while the others are suffering from undisclosed problems. They are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Kamil Grabara in goal.
Elias Jelert and Kevin Diks will start as the full backs. They will look to nullify the wide threat from Manchester City and protect the central defenders. Denis Vavro will start alongside Scott McKenna in the central defensive unit.
In the midfield, Rasmus Falk will start alongside the in-demand Roony Bardghji and Magnus Mattsson. Falk will look to break up opposition attacks, while Bardghji and Mattsson will add creativity and goals to the side. Jordan Larsson will lead the line for FC Copenhagen against Manchester City, with Mohamed Elyounoussi and Elias Achouri on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Grabara; Jelert, Vavro, McKenna, Diks; Bardghji, Falk, Mattsson; Elyounoussi, Larsson, Achouri
Key Stats
- Manchester City are undefeated in their last five matches against FC Copenhagen in all competitions.
- Manchester City have picked up five wins from the last six matches across all competitions.
- FC Copenhagen have failed to win two of the last four matches in all competitions.
- 16 goals have been scored in the last five matches between these two sides.
- FC Copenhagen has scored four goals in the last five matches against Manchester City.
Player to Watch
Erling Haaland
The 23-year-old has been in outstanding form for Manchester City this season, scoring six goals in his last two appearances. He will look to add to his tally and punish a vulnerable Copenhagen defence here. The Norwegian international is full of confidence right now, and FC Copenhagen will struggle to contain him and his physicality in the attack when they take on Manchester City.
Prediction
Manchester city 3-0 FC Copenhagen
The visitors have lost two of their last four outings, and they will be lacking in confidence and momentum. They are up against one of the most in-form teams in world football and this is likely to be a difficult outing.
Manchester City will be overwhelming favourites, and they should be able to pick up a comfortable victory in front of their own fans against FC Copenhagen. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Pep Guardiola and his charges.
