Champions League
2021-10-19 - Club Brugge vs Manchester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Champions League Group Stage
Tuesday 19th October 2021 - Kick Off 5:45pm
This game is live on TV
Club Brugge
They may have been the outsiders in the Group when the draw was made, but Club Brugge have refused to allow themselves to feel intimidated by the teams they are having to face. After two Match Days have been completed in the Champions League, Club Brugge remain unbeaten, although finding their way through to the Second Round will still be a surprise even after the points on the board.
The side earned a home draw with Paris Saint-Germain and were then able to beat Leipzig away from home and that means Club Brugge are 2nd in this Group and a point clear of Manchester City in the place below them. They have a big opportunity on Match Day 3, but Club Brugge have only won 1 of their last 7 home Champions League games. During that time, Club Brugge have been beaten 3 times.
Club Brugge are unbeaten in 7 games in all competitions and they have won 4 of those fixtures, although they have not won consecutive fixtures. They were able to win here this weekend, but Club Brugge had drawn back to back home fixtures by the same 1-1 scoreline prior to that.
There looks to be a full squad from which Club Brugge can select their starting eleven this week.
Manchester City
The early goal on Saturday would have had some fans believing Manchester City were going to hand out yet another thumping to Premier League rivals Burnley, but it was a tougher day than expected. The 2-0 win keeps Manchester City progressing up the League table, but the Champions League remains the Holy Grail for the club and they have to get themselves back on track in this Group.
They have earned 3 points so far in this Group which leaves Manchester City a point behind both Paris Saint-Germain and Club Brugge, but Pep Guardiola's men are still in control of their own destiny. A win over Leipzig has been followed by a defeat at Paris Saint-Germain, the latter result ending Manchester City's run of 9 unbeaten away games in the Champions League.
Manchester City have lost 1 of their last 10 games in all competitions, but they had failed to win consecutive fixtures before the win over Burnley. The side have only won 2 of their last 6 away games in all competitions, but Manchester City did come from behind twice in their eventual 2-2 draw at Liverpool in their last game on their travels.
Ederson and Gabriel Jesus were both involved for Brazil last Thursday and that meant both missed out this past weekend. The two players could both be involved this week, while Manchester City rotated the squad and may choose to make more changes here.
Head to Head
This is the first time Club Brugge and Manchester City will meet in a competitive fixture.
Prediction
There still remains an underlying belief that Manchester City are going to have some difficulties securing all of their ambitions without a recognised number nine on which they can rely through this season.
Despite that, the team have been scoring plenty of goals of late and they have continued to create opportunities which should give Manchester City every chance of getting back on track in the Champions League. The defeat to the Paris Saint-Germain means Manchester City are 3rd in the Group, but they can win in Brugge and move back above their hosts.
Club Brugge have been a surprising team early in the competition having earned 4 points from their opening two games. They are already making a good effort at getting out of a tough Champions League Group and Club Brugge have given Paris Saint-Germain and Leipzig plenty to think about.
They will feel they can do the same against Manchester City, but Club Brugge have suffered some heavy losses at home in the Champions League over the last two years. If they fall behind and start to chase the game, Club Brugge could be vulnerable to the Premier League Champions who have rested some key names this past weekend who are going to be ready to make a big impact.
Club Brugge have to be respected for their early performances, but they have not been the most consistent team and Manchester City have won 7 of their last 10 away Champions League games. The first goal will be important, but I think Manchester City can get their noses in front and I would expect them to manage this game much better than Paris Saint-Germain did last month and Pep Guardiola's men can secure a good win.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Club Brugge 0-2 Manchester City
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Manchester City - 1.5 Asian Handicap at 1.78 with BetVictor
