Manchester City begin their Champions League title defence against Red Star Belgrade at the Etihad Stadium.
Depending on the outcome of Young Boys’ meeting against RB Leipzig in the early evening kick-off, victory could take either Man City or Red Star Belgrade top of Group G.
Team News
Mateo Kovacic could return for Man City after he missed their comeback Premier League win at West Ham with a back injury.
John Stones, Jack Grealish (both muscle) and Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) remains absent.
Red Star Belgrade have no fresh injury concerns to report coming into this match, with the whole squad available for selection.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Red Star Belgrade at the Etihad Stadium at 8pm BST on Tuesday 19 September, live on TNT Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Manchester City’s first-ever competitive meeting against Red Star Belgrade in all UEFA competitions.
- Red Star Belgrade are playing away to Man City for the first time but have lost each of their two previous visits to Manchester – which both came against Manchester United (L2).
- This is Man City’s first-ever clash against any Serbian opposition in UEFA competitions.
- Pep Guardiola’s City have kept clean sheets in four of their last six home matches in Champions League (W6).
- Red Star are winless in their last seven away matches in all UEFA competitions (D2, L5).
Prediction
Having needed patience and improved second-half end product to come from behind to beat West Ham at the weekend, Man City certainly will be fired up to commence their Champions League title defence on their home turf.
If there is one thing which Pep Guardiola will surely want from his team then it has to be a sharper first half display, because they have looked quite scrappy in the first half of their last three games which is something that Red Star must look to take advantage of.
Speaking of Red Star, they have hit a rut with two defeats in their last three matches but their firepower makes them tricky opposition to underestimate, although their priority will have to be working out how to quickly contain City’s attack which is much superior.
Quite simply, I just don’t see how the Serbian team can get anything out of this game unless they pull off the ultimate smash-and-grab because City will have too much for them.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Red Star Belgrade
Result: Manchester City 3-1 Red Star Belgrade
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