Champions League: Manchester Mismatch Set to Highlight Gulf

Manchester City vs Club Brugge

With increasing regularity, the Champions League throws up a mismatch; a clash between one club with bulging resources and another just glad to be there.

In fact, in some cases, so wide has been the gulf that the opponents may as well be a feeder club.

Although it would be unfair to suggest that is the case for Club Brugge – after all, they have been Belgian champions 17 times – they certainly are not in the same postcode resource-wise as Manchester City.

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Indeed, they will probably be mightily impressed when they travel to Manchester to see the facilities their opponents possess.

There is unlikely to be any generosity on the pitch, however, when the sides meet in the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night as the hosts bid for three more points to ease nearer qualification from Group A.

Talking Points

It’s less than a fortnight since Pep Guardiola brought last year’s beaten finalists to Belgium and created Champions League 2021 highlights – and havoc for the hosts – as they returned home with a 5-1 success.

It was a night when City were not only a delight to watch in an exhibition of attacking football but outlined yet another mismatch as Philippe Clement’s side were reduced to extras in a scintillating show from the English champions.

A night when they enjoyed total domination of the ball and tempo and a night when Cole Palmer, a 19-year-old enjoying a second Champions League appearance, got on the scoresheet to announce himself on the biggest stage.

Pep Guardiola and his team are determined to produce another thrilling Champions League highlights — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola watches his team from the touchline during their first Champions League match against Club Brugge

If Brugge were hoping for a less arduous task this midweek, that notion would surely have been dispelled when City went down to a shock 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday which has left Guardiola calling for a response.

Strikes from Wilfried Zaha and Connor Gallagher earned the Eagles victory against opponents who were reduced to 10 men late in the first half when Aymeric Laporte was given his marching orders.

City are normally a different beast at home, even when going through the motions they usually are comfortable and have enough for most opponents.

However, after their League Cup domination was ended by West Ham, followed by defeat against Palace, the club is now at the risk of losing three games in a row across all competitions – something they have not done since April 2018.

The Belgian outfit have done remarkably well to hold their own in a group – also comprising Paris St Germain and RB Leipzig – that many expected them to finish bottom in.

Win on Wednesday night, in fact, and they will go above City. But if Brugge achieve that it will be a Belgian bonus.

Philippe Clement’s side were indebted to an old head in Bas Dost during their league encounter with Sint-Truiden at the weekend, as the 32-year-old netted the opener after 40 seconds before repeating the trick in the second half in a 2-1 success.

While they have strung together a five-game unbeaten run away from home in all competitions ahead of their trip to the Etihad, it must be noted they have also conceded in each of their last four on the road, while their last clean sheet in the Champions League on rival territory came all the way back in August 2019.

They will have a near full strength team apart from midfielder Eder Balanta, who is suspended after picking up three bookings in the competition this term.

Ferran Torres remains City’s only injury concern with a fractured foot.

History

Last month’s meeting was their first-ever clash as City ran out 5-1 winners, courtesy of goals from Riyad Mahrez (two), Palmer, Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker.

Hans Vanaken netted the Brugge consolation.

Betting Tip

	Manchester City vs Club Brugge	Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.36
	November 04, 4:00 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP Champions League 2021 betting odds are as one-sided as you would expect.

In fact, if Brugge even manage a draw you will receive a payout with odds of @ 10.50 with an away win priced 1X2 @ 14.00.

City, by contrast, can be backed at just @ 1.11.

With Asian Handicap odds, even City -2.75 is on offer @ a mere 2.28 with Brugge +2.25 @ 2.13.

If you fancy plenty of goals again, then look at over 3.75 goals @ 2.31, total goal 2-3 @ 2.29 and 4-6 @ 2.20.

I simply cannot see past a City win and expect them to lead at the break and full-time which is why I’ve looked at First Half 1X2 and First Half Asian Handicap options.

My tip, however, is for the total goals to reach two to three.