THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE is back with a bang on Tuesday night as Manchester City visit Hoffenheim. Tom Love (@TomLove_18) shares his betting thoughts.
Hoffenheim v Manchester City | Tuesday 2nd October 2018, 17:55 | BT Sport
After a shock defeat at home to Lyon on matchday one, Manchester City make the trip to Germany with a little bit more pressure on their shoulders to get a result.
It doesn’t promise to be a walk in the park for Pep Guardiola‘s charges though.
Hoffenheim are still a club in its infancy when it comes to major European competition. You’d be forgiven if you’ve never heard of the small village in the municipality of Sinsheim, that only holds a population of 3,272.
They may be relatively small in stature but Hoffe are big in quality and potential, aided by the backing of successful software magnate Dietmar Hopp.
On the pitch, Achtzehn99 have helped to develop players such as Demba Ba, Roberto Firmino and Vedad Ibisevic in the past. Their current crop have the capability to mix it with the European elite under the tutelage of one of the most coveted coaches on the continent, Julian Nagelsmann.
They dominated the first hour of their game away at Shakhtar Donetsk, a notoriously difficult place to go, and should’ve been out of sight if it wasn’t for some profligate finishing and poor decision making in the final third.
Nevertheless, the sheer intensity of their high press caught the Ukrainian outfit cold and it will be interesting to see if they’re just as ballsy when the Premier League champions come to town.
Man City have come under the limelight for their perceived attitude towards this competition. Attendances are regularly smaller than their domestic games and a portion of the fans don’t seem to hold it in high regard – the flat atmosphere at The Etihad in their loss to Lyon could’ve had an affect on their performance.
The Citizens were surprisingly sloppy in possession and Lyon looked much more threatening on the ball. The style in which the French team played in was similar to how Hoffenheim set-up so it will be intriguing to see if Pep’s men change their approach at all.
Gunning for goals
Both sides have a strong penchant for goal-filled games and I’m expecting more of the same on Tuesday evening.
Over 2.5 Goals has been prohibitively priced at 4/11 but we can get 81/100 with Marathon by chucking in the caveat that both sides get on the scoresheet.
This selection landed in both of these two sides opening UCL fixtures. Hoffenheim have notched in every one of their eight outings in all competitions this season and if they’re brave in their pressing again they could exploit City’s possible weakness at centre half.
Best Bets
Hoffenheim v Manchester City – Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score (81/100 Marathon)
