3 minutes Manchester City resume their UEFA Champions League defence on Tuesday evening as the tournament favourites take on FC Copenhagen away from home in the first leg of their last-16 tie
Manchester City resume their UEFA Champions League defence on Tuesday evening as the tournament favourites take on FC Copenhagen away from home in the first leg of their last-16 tie. Looking ahead to this crucial fixture, you’ll find the very best free bets and pre-match offers here at betting.bet, courtesy of our betting partners at Betfred.
UEFA Champions League group stage recap
Along with Real Madrid, Manchester City were one of only two teams to reach the knockout stage with a 100% record in the group stage. Pep Guardiola’s side made it six wins from six in Group G by winning home and away against RB Leipzig, Young Boys and Red Star Belgrade.
Erling Haaland is the tournament’s joint-highest scorer with five goals in City’s six group games whilst the team’s tally of 18 goals scored was also the highest in the group stage.
FC Copenhagen were the surprise package in Group A, progressing as runners-up behind Bayern Munich at the expense of Galatasaray and most notably Manchester United. The Danish champions had just one point from their first three matches but earned seven points from a possible nine in the final three matches. FC Copenhagen earned wins over Manchester United (4-3) and Galatasaray (1-0) as well as a 0-0 draw away at Bayern Munich.
Form
Manchester City head to Copenhagen unbeaten in all competitions in 13 matches and have won ten consecutive matches. Their most recent fixture produced a 2-0 win over Everton with Erling Haaland on the scoresheet for the first time since November.
FC Copenhagen who are in the middle of a winter break in the Danish Superliga currently sit third in the competition having lost four of their 17 games played. The Copenhagen defence is of particular concern having leaked more goals than any other side currently occupying a top six position in Denmark.
Betting tips
Manchester United’s shock 4-3 defeat in Copenhagen will assure that Manchester City do not underestimate the task at hand but the English Premier League side should prove far too strong for Tuesday’s hosts. Pep Guardiola’s side are likely to command first leg advantage but at 4/9 may be too short to consider backing to win.
Considering FC Copenhagen’s leaky defence domestically combined with the fact that Manchester City are the Champions League’s top scorers and led by a refreshed, fit again, Erling Haaland; Manchester City to win and over 2.5 match goals is an easy way to boost these odds. This selection is currently available at 8/11.
Erling Haaland will personally prove popular in the goalscorer markets. At 4/6, Haaland is a solid selection to score at any time however, with Betfred’s ‘Double Delight & Hat Trick Heaven’ promotion available for this Champions League fixture, the better value looks to be Haaland to score first at 12/5.
14 of Manchester City’s 18 Champions League goals scored this season have come in the second half of matches whilst both goals in their recent 2-0 win against Everton were also scored after the break. It is therefore rather surprising to see favourable odds of 21/20 for the second half to be the highest scoring half.
Match odds
FC Copenhagen: 14/1
Draw: 5/1
Manchester City: 4/9