City Huge Favourites in Germany
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The Round of 16 stage of the Champions League resumes this week and we have four matches in total to enjoy. One of which takes place on Wednesday night in Germany as Schalke host Manchester City at the Veltins Arena.
Schalke are the huge underdogs for this game and only once in the last 10 years have they progressed beyond this stage of the Champions League. Manchester City on the other hand reached the quarter-final last season and the semi-final in 2015/16.
Schalke 04 come into this match having been held to a 0-0 draw at home to Freiburg in the Bundesliga on the weekend. That result leaves them down in 14th place, closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League qualifying places.
Trends show they have won only one of their last five matches in all competitions and that came at home against Fortuna Dusseldorf in the DFB Pokal at the start of the month.
Home form has been inconsistent of late and Schalke have won three, drawn one and lost three of their last seven competitive games at the Veltins Arena. Schalke won three of their six Champions League group games, two of which came at home and they are undefeated at home in the Champions League this season.
However, when coming face-to-face with some of Europe’s strongest clubs Schalke have struggled in recent times. They also scored fewer than 2 goals in four of their last five Champions League matches on home soil.
Manchester City found it tough going in the first half of their FA Cup tie at Newport County on Saturday but came on strong in the second half to win the game 4-1 and book their place in the next round.
That win means Manchester City have responded to the 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United by winning their last four games. In addition to the win over Newport, there have been wins in the Premier League at home against Arsenal and Chelsea plus away to Everton.
Having started with a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Lyon, Manchester City have won four and drawn one of their last five Champions League matches. They have won two and drawn one of their three away games this season and have scored 2 or more goals in each of those three matches. However, Manchester City have kept just one clean sheet in their last four away Champions League games.
Team news and Schalke are without the injured trio of Breel Embolo, Alessandro Schopf and Steven Skrzybiski. Omar Mascarell is suspended and Benjamin Stambouli is doubtful.
Manchester City have doubts over the fitness of Benjamin Mendy and Vincent Kompany. Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker were rested on the weekend and should all start.
Schalke are in poor form and Manchester City could not have asked for a better draw. They will expect to score at least two away goals and put the tie to bed before the second leg.
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