Manchester City to ease past Dinamo Zagreb
Manchester City vs Dinamo Zagreb - 01/10/2019
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Manchester City host Champions League Group C rivals Dinamo Zagreb at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night seeking a win to take command of the group.
The Cityzens strolled past Shakhtar Donetsk in their first group stage match, 3-0, and now aim for a perfect six points from six. Dinamo Zagreb also claimed victory on matchday 1 shocking Italy’s Atlanta 4-0 in Croatia.
Pep Guardiola’s team won at the weekend in the Premier League against Everton, 3-1. The scoreline flattered Manchester City as defensively the side showed weaknesses. Still, the Cityzens should have no trouble getting past Dinamo Zagreb as Group C isn’t the hardest of the Champions League’s groups.
Dinamo Zagreb also warmed up for their Champions League match with a victory. The Croatians won 4-0 away to NK Lokomotiva.
Dinamo Zagreb is led by Mislav Orsic, a hot shot forward capable of scoring big goals. He tallied a hat-trick against Atalanta on Champions League matchday 1 and scored at the weekend.
Orsic could get at Manchester City’s makeshift defence as Fernandinho will most likely be paired with Nicolas Otamendi in central defence. Aymeric Laporte is out of action and John Stones is injured with a thigh muscle problem. He is also suffering from some personal issues while out of action.
Despite their vulnerability in defence, Manchester City are as strong as ever in attack. Sergio Aguero has tallied eight goals this season while Raheem Sterling has scored six times.
Guardiola could rotate his side for Dinamo Zagrab’s visit. Aguero started on the bench against Everton at the weekend and came on as a second-half substitute for Gabriel Jesus. He should return to the starting XI on Tuesday night.
Sterling, who scored against Everton, should also start in attack with in-form Riyad Mahrez on the other side of an offensive trio. Mahrez has three goals combined in the Premier League and Champions League.
Defence could be an issue if Dinamo Zagreb can get into scoring positions in the final third. Manchester City’s defence has not looked this vulnerable in some time. They have given up seven goals which is more than both Liverpool and Leicester City.
Laporte, Stones and Leroy Sane are all on Guardiola’s injured list. All three are long-term absentees. Of the three, Stones will be back the earliest.
Even with their cracks in defence, Manchester City will have little difficulty getting another Champions League group stage win against Dinamo Zagreb. The Cityzens will win with both teams finding the back of the net. Expect over 2.5 goals at the Etihad Stadium.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
532918
1
3 - 1
3.50
8°
2 - 0(0 - 0)
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