Champions League preview: Man City on the brink in the League Phase final round
It’s the end of the beginning. Match day eight of the Champions League is almost upon us, with 18 matches playing out simultaneously on Wednesday night.
And with several big clubs still needing a result to progress, not since Real Betis’ David Lynch-inspired video announced Antony’s loan deal has football offered such rich potential for confusion.
We’re as befuddled as anyone, frankly, but don’t let that put you off. Here’s our look ahead to Wednesday’s games featuring UK sides…
Aston Villa vs Celtic
In the gargantuan 36-team league table, Celtic currently sit 18th, ahead of such clubs as Paris Saint-Germain and of course, Man City – more of them later.
Villa, meanwhile, are 9th in the table – and will be hopeful of sneaking into the top eight, which would mean they then avoid having to go through a playoff to reach the knockout stage.
The Scottish side have only lost one of their previous CL games this season, though that was a 7-1 shoeing to Borussia Dortmund. As for the Villans, they’re unbeaten at Villa Park in this CL campaign.
This is the first ever meeting between these two sides, apparently. And while the visitors will be keen to give a good account of themselves at Villa Park, Celtic have only won one of their last 21 away games in this competition.
Villa are odds on favourites to win on Wednesday; if that doesn’t appeal, you could consider backing Jhon Duran to score for the hosts. He has three CL goals already in this campaign, and is 5/4 to find the net.
Girona vs Arsenal
Girona have lost all but one of their seven Champions League games in this campaign. Currently 31st in the league table, the Spanish side have no hope of making it to the knockout phase – but will they at least give Arsenal a decent game?
The Gunners are third in the table, and with the pressure off Mikel Arteta’s side can potentially afford to take it easy here.
While Girona’s CL results haven’t been great, the side did restrict Liverpool to a 1-0 win when the sides met here in December. Girona’s last three CL defeats have been 1-0 losses, so this might not be a game full of goalmouth incident.
We’re more taken by the fact that Girona have failed to score in their last four CL outings. Backing Arsenal to win and Both Teams To Score No in a double is a 27/20 shot.
Man City vs Club Brugge
Man City’s woes this season are well known – somehow, the previously all-conquering behemoth have malfunctioned to such a degree, they currently sit 25th in the Champions League table, at risk of elimination.
A victory against Brugge is a necessity if City are going to make it to the play-off places for the knockout phases. But even though there’s no question that Pep Guardiola won’t be taking anything for granted in this game, there’s a general sense that City should have enough at home to see off the Belgian team, who are currently 20th in the table.
In 14 previous attempts, Brugge are yet to win away against English opposition in European football. When these sides previously met in the 2021-22 season, City were comfortable victors across the two matches, winning 5-1 away and 4-1 at home.
Stats, history and common sense may tell us that with so much riding on this one, surely the hosts will find a way to win. Against that, it’s worth remembering that City did let a three-goal lead slip at the Etihad against Feyenoord back in November, the match eventually finishing 3-3.
In this most mindboggling of seasons for City, could another unthinkable result be on the cards?
The hosts really should have too much for this opposition, as handily illustrated by the fact City are just 1/5 to win; backing Haaland to score two or more goals at 14/5 is probably a more tempting approach, given Haaland previously scored four times in one match against this opposition.
If you’re still holding out for one more City implosion for the ages, however, Brugge are 6/1 to nab the draw…
PSV Eindhoven vs Liverpool
Liverpool have won all their previous seven CL matches. Can they make it a perfect eight against PSV?
The Dutch side were able to hold Paris Saint-Germain to a draw at the Parc des Princes back in October, so it’s not impossible that the hosts prevent Arne Slot’s side from taking maximum points for the league phase.
With Liverpool currently top of the league table, Slot has taken the decision to rest several of his most high profile players, with Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander- Arnold amongst the names left out of the squad for this encounter.
As for the opposition, PSV have lost just one of their last 55 home games in all competitions – a penalty shootout defeat in the Dutch Super Cup.
And coach Peter Bosz’s side could still earn a place in the top eight of the league, depending on other results, so the hosts have more than just pride to play for. Bosz has said “we will go for at least a point” – and they could well get it. The draw is available at 13/5.
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