Man City vs Crvena zvezda predictions: Citizens should cruise
- Manchester City have won to nil in five of their last six home games in Europe
- Crvena zvezda's last four Champions League group games ended in 1-0, 6-0, 4-0 and 5-0 defeats
- Recommended bet: Manchester City to win 5-0
Manchester City's maiden Champions League triumph in 2022-23 was built on an outstanding home record and Group G visitors Crvena zvezda face a daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium on matchday one.
RB Leipzig, who are also in the section, were thumped 7-0 at the Etihad in the last 16 before City swept aside heavyweight rivals Bayern Munich 3-0 and Real Madrid 4-0 in their next two home knockout ties.
The treble winners have won their first five Premier League matches and face a team who have made it to the Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2018-19 season, when they lost 3-0 and 6-0 to Bayern and 5-0 and 4-0 against Tottenham.
Team news
Manchester City will be without the injured Kevin De Bruyne, who is likely to be sidelined until the new year.
Mateo Kovacic could return to the squad but Jack Grealish and John Stones, who also missed the weekend win at West Ham, may not be risked. Winger Jeremy Doku, who scored at the London Stadium, could retain his place in the starting XI.
Crvena zvezda winger Aleksandar Katai returned at the weekend after a long injury absence but is unlikely to start against City.
Jean-Phillipe Krasso should lead the line, having scored six goals in seven league appearances this season.
The stats
Manchester City have won 18 of their last 19 home Champions League matches, while City have won to nil in five of their last six home games in Europe.
Both teams have scored in the Citizens' last three Premier League victories.
Crvena zvezda's last four Champions League group games ended in 1-0, 6-0, 4-0 and 5-0 defeats.
Nine of Crvena zvezda's last 10 league matches produced over 2.5 goals.
Only one of Crvena zvezda's last 10 Champions League fixtures, including qualifiers, was 0-0 at half-time.
Prediction
Some of European football's biggest clubs were humbled at the Etihad last season and Manchester City should kick off their Champions League defence with a comfortable win over Crvena zvezda.
City have kept clean sheets in five of their last six European home games including a 5-0 group-stage win over Copenhagen and that correct score looks a tempting bet on matchday one.
As Red Star Belgrade, Crvena zvezda won the European Cup in 1991 but they are huge underdogs against the holders and they lost 5-4 on aggregate to Maccabi Haifa in last season's qualifying competition.
They have lost their last two away games in the Serbian Super Liga, conceding five goals in reverses at Vozdovac and Cukaricki, and that does not bode well for their chances of subduing City's star-studded attacking unit.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
