Will the defending champions set the course for progression?

Defending champions Manchester City will naturally want to reach for the stars in the top flight again this year. The Sky Blues will continue their quest in the round of 16 in Denmark, where they have never managed an away win in the main rounds of UEFA competitions in three attempts (two draws, one defeat). Nevertheless, there seems to be almost no alternative to betting on the Citizens winning the first leg against Manchester City in FC Copenhagen

Not only have Pep Guardiola’s side won their last eight competitive matches in a row in the top flight, but the Sky Blues are also unbeaten in 19 Champions League games (14 wins, five draws). What’s more, the defending champions have rarely let anything slip in the first leg of the knockout rounds. The prediction for FC Copenhagen v Manchester City must also take into account the fact that the Citizens have not lost the first leg of any of their last ten Champions League knockout ties (eight wins, two draws).

However, the fact that FC Copenhagen achieved the feat of reaching the round of 16 despite not winning any of their first three preliminary round matches (one draw, two defeats) should not be completely ignored. On the other hand, the Lions won two of their last three group games (one draw) – more victories than in any of their previous 17 Champions League games. Manchester City should be well warned: FCK already beat Manchester United 4-3 at Parken Stadium on matchday four.

Nevertheless, we firmly believe that the goal-scoring and in-form Sky Blues can record their first win at Parken Stadium at the third attempt. However, as in five of the six group games, the Citizens could still concede a goal, which is why we are combining betting tip 2 with the bet that both teams will score

FC Copenhagen – Statistics & current form

FFC Copenhagen got off to the worst possible start to the 2022/23 season, as a result of which current Augsburg coach Jess Thorup was relieved of his duties. Jacob Neestrup took over and helped the club reach new heights.

At the end of the 2022/23 season, the club won the national double. The Lions also had big plans for the Champions League, in which they not only beat Galatasaray Istanbul in Group A, but also English record champions Manchester United.

FC Copenhagen are also clear underdogs in the second CL round of 16

This is the second time since 2010/11 that FCK have reached the last 16 of the top flight. Back then, the Danes were eliminated by Chelsea FC after losing 2-0 at home and 0-0 in the second leg in London. This time, of course, they want to do better against the defending champions.

However, although the reigning Danish double winners are unbeaten in three Champions League games (two wins, one draw – as many wins as in the previous 17 games in the top flight), the odds are clearly in the visitors’ favor for FC Copenhagen v Manchester City

FC Copenhagen with a strong performance in their own stadium

However, it is also clear that the capital city side have absolutely nothing to lose in front of their home crowd. At the Parken Stadium, FCK not only impressed in the narrow 2:1 home defeat against FC Bayern, but also beat both Manchester United (4:3) and Galatasaray (1:0).

However, the dress rehearsals last week could have been more successful. The Lions scored nine goals in their three games in the Atlantic Cup in the Algarve and won their last match against Molde 3:1. However, they also suffered a painful 2-1 defeat against city rivals Brøndby.

Predicted line-up of FC Copenhagen:

Manchester City – Statistics & current form

Manchester City, as the reigning UEFA Champions League champions, are naturally the hunted side that every opponent wants to bring down. However, no team has managed to do so in the group stage. The Sky Blues won all six of their preliminary round matches and extended their unbeaten run in the top flight to 19 games (14 wins, five draws).

In fact, Pep Guardiola’s side have won all of their last eight Champions League games

Manchester City with 18 goals in the preliminary round

It should be noted that the Citizens scored exactly three goals in all six group games, once again proving very prolific and potentially becoming the first club in the competition to score at least three goals in seven consecutive matches.

However, it should not be forgotten that the defending champions have conceded at least one goal in five of their six preliminary round matches. That makes FC Copenhagen v Manchester City a very interesting bet for the Sky Blues to keep a clean sheet in their third visit to the Parken Stadium

Will Erling Haaland come up trumps again in the knockout phase?

However, we have no doubts that Pep Guardiola’s team will win this first leg. In knockout rounds, the Citizens usually set the course for progression directly in the first match. Manchester City have not lost the first leg of any of their last ten knockout ties (eight wins, two draws).

The fact that Erling Haaland is now fully fit again and scored a brace in the dress rehearsal (2:0 against Everton) plays all the more into the hands of the defending champions. The prolific Norwegian has scored 13 goals in 13 Champions League knockout matches, including five in the round of 16 against RB Leipzig a year ago.

Predicted Manchester City line-up:

FC Copenhagen – Manchester City head-to-head / H2H result

Head to head: 0 – 2 – 2

The two clubs have crossed paths four times in international competitions and Manchester City have remained unbeaten on all four occasions. The Sky Blues won both home games in England in commanding fashion, but have failed to draw on their two previous visits to Denmark. FC Copenhagen held the Citizens to a goalless draw in their last home game in the Champions League group stage on October 11, 2022

FC Copenhagen – Manchester City betting tip

The odds are clearly and unmistakably in favor of FC Copenhagen against Manchester City, who are now unbeaten in 19 Champions League games (14 wins, five draws). The Sky Blues have scored exactly three times in all six group games and also have the necessary form to claim their first away win at Parken Stadium after two draws in a row. This is also supported by the fact that the Citizens have remained unbeaten in the first leg of their last ten knockout matches in the top flight (eight wins, two draws).

However, the Danish Lions have absolutely nothing to lose in this match. With their own fans behind them, they should at least be able to score a home goal against the Sky Blues, who have failed to keep a clean sheet in five of their six preliminary round matches. The prediction for FC Copenhagen v Manchester City is that the Citizens will win away, but will again concede at least one goal