Manchester City vs Sparta Prague predictions: Citizens a class apart
- City have scored three or more in 10 of their last 12 Champions League games
- The Citizens won 4-0 at Slovan Bratislava on Matchday Two
- Recommended Bet: Over 3.5 Manchester City goals
After being frustrated in a goalless draw in their Champions League opener at home to Inter, Manchester City responded in style to record a 4-0 victory away at Slovan Bratislava three weeks ago.
The Citizens, who were crowned European champions two years ago, will be expected to follow up against Sparta Prague, although the Czech side have also taken four points from their opening two Champions League assignments.
Sparta brushed aside Salzburg 3-0 at home in their European curtain-raiser before earning a respectable 1-1 draw at Stuttgart.
That said, City remain unbeaten from 11 competitive matches this season and they are again expected to make the most of their home comforts at the Etihad, where they have also taken 10 points from four Premier League outings.
Team news
City will have to manage without long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb, while Pep Guardiola has revealed that Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne are unlikely to be ready to return on Wednesday.
Nathan Ake was on the bench in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Wolves, but may not be ready to start.
Guardiola may consider rotating his side, as he did against Slovan Bratislava, with Stefan Ortega, Manuel Akanji, Matheus Nunes, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden all likely starters.
Sparta, meanwhile, remain without Imanol Garcia and Elias Cobbaut, although Martin Vitik is available to return from suspension. Kaan Kairinen reportedly needs to be assessed.
The stats
Manchester City are unbeaten at home in the Champions League since September 2018.
The Citizens have now gone 25 games unbeaten in the Champions League overall, equalling the competition record for the longest run in history.
City are unbeaten in 11 matches this season, winning on eight occasions.
City striker Erling Haaland has scored 42 goals in 41 Champions League appearances.
The hosts are still to concede in this season's Champions League, drawing 0-0 with Inter and beating Slovan 4-0.
Sparta Prague are unbeaten in 10 Champions League matches, with both teams scoring in four of their last seven.
There have been over 2.5 goals in three of Sparta's last four games.
Prediction
Manchester City are unlikely to be posed too many problems by Sparta Prague.
The Citizens tend to score freely in this competition, having netted three or more in 10 of their last 12 European fixtures, while they were easy 4-0 winners at Slovan Bratislava in their previous outing.
So City are fancied to go through the gears and an early goal could see them run riot, something they do regularly in the Premier League at home.
Guardiola's side have scored four or more in four of their last eight league games at the Etihad and they may be able to put at least four past Sparta, who will not be used to a challenge of this magnitude.
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