MAN CITY travel to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Daniel McCulloch (@DMcCulloch1984) shares his favourite fancies.
Club Brugge vs Manchester City | Tuesday 19th October 2021, 20:00 | BT Sport
Manchester City have generally been impressive this season, with performances probably even better than their results suggest. Their sole league defeat – against Tottenham on the opening day – was undeserved, as was the 2-0 loss against PSG in their last match in this competition. City had 18 shots to their opponents six that day, with seven of those on target (compared with three from PSG).
Therefore I am not reading too much in to that loss. I do, however, think City are generally less potent going forward – and better defensively – than they were in the early days under Pep Guardiola. Domestically they have scored two goals a game this season, down from 2.2 last term and 2.7 the season before.
Their opponents, Club Brugge, actually have a point more than them in this competition, having managed a draw and a win from games against PSG and Red Bull Leipzig. Neither result was particularly fortunate and they looked fairly solid defensively in both encounters.
It does concern me a little that they have conceded 13 goals in 11 matches in the Belgium top flight but I don’t see City as the free-flowing outfit that they were in recent years and am sure Guardiola would take a narrow victory.
Five of City’s last 10 away matches in the group stage of this competition have seen The Citizens win and three goals or fewer to be scored. Such a scenario is 5/4 with Bet365 and I am happy to take such a price.
Elsewhere, my eyes were drawn to the correct score market. I have written many an article saying how City are traditionally excellent value to win 2-1 or 3-1.
While that value may have diminished due to improved defensive performances, I was interested to see that seven of their last 32 matches in this competition have seen them record 2-1 victories (four of 15 away from home), which makes the 17/2 on offer for The Citizen to win in this manner excellent value.
Best Bets
Club Brugge vs Manchester City – Manchester City to win and Under 3.5 Goals (5/4 Bet365)
Club Brugge vs Manchester City – Manchester City to win 2-1 (17/2 BetVictor)
