Manchester City look to go top of Group C as they take on Dinamo Zagreb at the Etihad Stadium.
Both teams currently are in the knockout qualification positions after taking comfortable wins over Shakhtar Donetsk and Atlanta in Matchweek One, although its Zagreb who sits top with four goals to City’s three.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesMan City have no fresh injury concerns as John Stones remain a few weeks away from returning from his thigh injury.
Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane remain long-term absentees with knee injuries.
Zagreb have no injury or suspension concerns and could name an unchanged team from their 4-0 away win at Lokomotiva on Saturday.
Stat Attack
- This is the first meeting between Manchester City and Dinamo Zagreb, also marking City’s first ever meeting in all competitions with a Croatian club.
- Zagreb has avoided defeat in just two of seven previous trips to English clubs (D2, L5).
- Riyad Mahrez has scored once in three of Manchester City’s last four matches in all competitions.
- Zagreb have lost 11 of their last 13 Champions League Group Stage matches, including six away games (W2, L11).
- City are unbeaten in three of their last five opening home games in the Champions League Group Stage in the last five seasons (W2, D1, L2).
Prediction
Given the quality of both teams on show a fortnight ago, this could be an interesting clash but Zagreb are dire away from home which will suit a rested Sergio Aguero and David Silva nicely.
City at the weekend had a tricky trip to Everton but dug in and managed to get the job done, even if a couple of goals came from dodgy errors by Jordan Pickford but they did thrash Watford 8-0 in their last home game which is a concern for Zagreb.
I therefore am struggling to see past a comfortable home win but don’t expect another brutal mauling.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Result: Manchester City 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb