Copenhagen vs Man City predictions: City to turn on the style
- City have won their last 10 games in all competitions
- Copenhagen won just twice in their group to qualify
- Recommended bet: Over 2.5 Manchester City goals
Manchester City should begin the knockout stage of the Champions League with a comfortable away win in Copenhagen on Tuesday as the defending European champions look set to maintain their winning run.
Pep Guardiola's side have now won their last 10 matches in all competitions and should follow up Saturday's 2-0 success over Everton in the Premier League with another routine victory in Europe.
Jacob Neestrup's side's are only third domestically but did finish ahead of both Galatasaray and Manchester United in their group to secure a last-16 berth.
The Danish side's victory against Gala on Matchday six on December 12 was their last competitive game, though, with friendlies and the Atlantic Cup keeping them occupied in recent weeks amid their preparations to face the reigning European champions.
Taking on the Citizens remains arguably the biggest test in world football and the hosts are likely to be found out.
Team news
Copenhagen midfielder Lukas Lerager scored the winner against Galatasaray but was then sent off so he is suspended for the first leg.
Davit Khocholava and Theo Sander are both out for the hosts through injury, while Birger Meling will be given a late fitness test.
City boss Guardiola has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from but he is expected to make some changes to the side that saw off Everton with Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne all pushing for starts after coming off the bench on Saturday.
Ruben Dias was booked twice in the group stage and will miss the second leg if he picks up another yellow card.
The stats
City's six-from-six winning run is their best-ever performance in the Champions League group stage.
The Premier League giants scored exactly three goals in each of their six group wins.
Copenhagen only won two of their group matches but the home victories over Manchester United (4-3) and Galatasaray (1-0) proved vital in helping them finish second.
The two clubs have met four times previously, over two legs in the Europa League knockout stage in 2009 when City won 4-3 on aggregate, and they were drawn together in last season's Champions League group stage with City winning 5-0 at the Etihad after Copenhagen had earned a 0-0 home draw.
Prediction
City are ominously moving through the gears right now and will begin to start thinking of another trophy-laden end to the season as they once again chase glory on multiple fronts.
Last season's treble winners breezed through the group stage, winning all six games, and they were handed a kind draw in the last-16 against Copenhagen.
This trip to the Danish capital will not worry Guardiola and co and they will expect to seal a comfortable away win to put one foot in the last eight before the return leg at the Etihad.
City are overwhelming favourites to win on the night at 2/9 but there is better value to be had in the goals market, backing over 2.5 goals for the visitors as they should turn on the style in Europe again.
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