Manchester City will go to Copenhagen on Tuesday night with the confidence that a victory would guarantee them a spot in the Champions League knockout round with two games remaining.
The Citizens are now in first place in Group G with nine points after three games, while Copenhagen is last with just one point in the group thus far.
Copenhagen vs. Manchester City Match Preview
Last week, Man City completely destroyed Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium. The home team scored three goals in the opening period and two more goals after the break to win 5-0.
The Danish team knew it would face tough competition in this division, and they struggled to hold Sevilla to a scoreless draw after losing their opening match at Borussia Dortmund on September 6.
The five-goal setback to Man City has Jacob Neestrup's team in last place in Group G with just one point, but they are tied for third with Sevilla in terms of points, so a Europa League spot is definitely attainable, and they can still mathematically finish in the top two at this point.
Copenhagen comes into this game off a 1-1 draw with Nordsjaelland on Saturday in league play, which dropped them to sixth place with 16 points from 12 games.
Byens Hold is taking part in the Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2016–17 season, however, they previously advanced to the last 16 of the Europa Conference League before falling to PSV Eindhoven.
Meanwhile, Man City is on fire. On Saturday afternoon, they thrashed Southampton 4-0 in the Premier League to climb to the top of the standings and make it six straight victories across all competitions.
The Citizens have won their last three games, all at home, by scores of 6-3, 5-0, and 4-0. This will be their first away game in any tournament since their 3-0 league victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the middle of September.
The victory over Copenhagen put Pep Guardiola's team in control of the group going into their last two group games against Dortmund and Sevilla. Pep Guardiola's team defeated Sevilla 4-0 in their section opener before winning 2-1 against Dortmund on September 14.
With nine points, Man City is in the first place, three points ahead of Dortmund in second place and eight points ahead of Sevilla in third. With a win here, Man City would guarantee their place in the knockout round, but it is more a matter of when than if the English champions will be able to advance through the group.
The signing of Erling Braut Haaland, who scored against Southampton in the league on Saturday to make it 20 goals in 13 games for the club, has led many to believe that the Citizens are the favourites to win the Champions League this season.
Copenhagen vs. Manchester City Team News
The team that started on Saturday will be altered with Kevin Diks and Victor Kristiansen both expected to return to the back four. Despite the five-goal defeat, head coach Neestrup may decide to stick with the same starting lineup from the reverse match against Man City last week. Mamoudou Karamoko, though, will need to pass a late fitness test.
Meanwhile, Man City will once again be without Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips due to injury, and John Stones won't be taken on because of a hamstring problem.
Jack Grealish, Sergio Gomez, and Ilkay Gundogan all potentially find their way into Guardiola's starting lineup from the team that faced Southampton on Saturday.
Even if Julian Alvarez is ready to step in and play through the middle, there will undoubtedly be a temptation to rest Haaland. However, the Norwegian international should start again, with Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva perhaps being the players to sit out.
Copenhagen's possible starting lineup:
Grabara; Diks, Vavro, Khocholava, Kristiansen; Stamenic, Lerager, Claesson; Johannesson, Karamoko, Daramy
Manchester City's possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Gomez; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Grealish, Haaland, Foden
Copenhagen vs. Manchester City Key Facts
- There have been less than 5.5 offside positions in 15 of the last 17 Copenhagen home games.
- Manchester City has not lost in each of their last 12 games.
- Manchester City has had over 4.5 shots on target in 10 of the last 11 games.
- Manchester City has sent over 4.5 corner kicks in 10 of the last 11 games.
- Manchester City has yellow cards less than 1.5 times in 8 of the last 9 games.
- Copenhagen has not scored in 6 of the last 7 Champions League games.
We say: Copenhagen 0-3 Manchester City
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Champion League