THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE was back with a bang on Tuesday night. On Wednesday night Man City get their campaign underway against Lyon and Ross Casey (@RossCasey24) shares his betting thoughts.
Manchester City v Lyon | Wednesday 19th September 2018, 20:00 | BT Sport
With Man City favourites to win the Champions League at 6/1 is it time they finally showed their potential on the European stage?
The Citizens have never even reached the final of the competition, but are expected to finally go all the way this season. There has been no proof that they can sustain their challenge so far, but a comfy win against Lyon at home should be a steady start.
Man City are as short as 1/5 to pick up the three points in this one and it would be a surprise if they didn't manage to do just that. They have won all three home games this season, scoring 11 goals in the process.
Lyon have suffered some poor results already this term, and haven't won either of their two away games so far. If you fancy the unthinkable to happen on Wednesday night, you get get 18/1 with Bet365 – a far better price than the 12/1 available at Boylesports.
Man City
Guardiola has a two-match suspension as a result of the half-time confrontation, meaning the manager will not be in the dugout for the Lyon game, but he has a big call on Sergio Aguero, who will undergo a fitness test ahead of this Champions League fixture.
After putting their stamp on domestic affairs in recent seasons, it is probably now a priority that Man City win the Champions League and starting off strong will be the key for Pep Guardiola to set their stall out. Will he risk Aguero?
Interestingly, City’s average winning margin this term has been exactly two and if you fancy that selection that is available at 7/2.
Lyon
This is a bit of a free hit for Lyon, who are not expected to get anything from this fixture – especially as they failed to beat a nine-man Caen last time out.
They do have new striker Moussa Dembele to call upon after the former Celtic man made his debut last weekend, but as already noted, they have not won any of their away games so far this season and are yet to keep a clean sheet on the road.
The betting angle
With Sergio Aguero possibly out, I like the odds on Gabriel Jesus to score and Man City to win at 4/5 (Boylesports).
Even if the Brazilian does not start this game he is likely to get around 30 minutes if Aguero is not fully fit and against a tired Lyon defence (that have conceded three second half goals in two games), the guests will hate a fresh Jesus arriving on the pitch.
Get 4/5 with Boylesports on Jesus to score and Man City to win.
Best Bets
Man City v Lyon – Gabriel Jesus to score and Man City to win (4/5 Boylesports)
