Verdict: Erling Haaland over 1.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Turning their attention back to Champions League duties on Wednesday night, Manchester City will travel to the Stade Louis II when they meet Monaco.
Monaco
Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to losing ways over the weekend as they eventually fell to a shock 3-1 defeat away at Lorient, Monaco have largely struggled to find any kind of stability over the past fortnight. Despite booking a lucrative Champions League return last season, Ali Hutter’s men opened their European adventure with a nightmare performance on foreign soil. Blown away by Club Brugge as they slumped to a woeful 4-1 drumming, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss will be bracing himself for a heavyweight challenge here. Pencilled in as a real underdog contender at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday night, Monaco have also shown some recent defensive struggles. Along with recording just a single clean sheet so far this season, Hutter’s side have also shipped nine goals in their last three outings across all competitions.
Monaco Team News
While German international Thilo Kehrer might have been shown a first-half red card against Lorient over the weekend, the former West Ham defender is free to feature here. However, yet to make a single appearance since arriving at the Stade Louis II over the summer, ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogo will not feature here.
While Mika Biereth might have notched just a single Ligue 1 strike since opening up the new campaign, the 22-year-old should keep his spot leading the line. Enjoying a remarkable start to life in France and now notching four goals in his first three appearances, former Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati could make his first Monaco start here.
Manchester City
As for the visitors, while Manchester City might have entered September’s international break in the midst of a public rut, Pep Guardiola’s men have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Eventually landing a thumping 5-1 victory at home against Premier League returners Burnley, the former Barcelona boss will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Getting their Champions League adventure underway with an impressive 2-0 win at home against Italian icons Napoli, the Sky Blues have also found a real clinical edge in the final third. Marking their return from September’s international break with a thumping 3-0 victory against bitter local rivals Manchester United, Guardiola’s side have registered 13 goals across all competitions since returning from September’s fortnight interval. Despite getting hit with a 3-1 loss when they last travelled to Monaco for a European showdown back in 2017, City are pencilled in as a standout contender here.
Manchester City Team News
Both dealing with respective injury issues, Manchester City will be unable to call upon summer recruits Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait Nouri on Wednesday night. Likewise, picking up a knee injury while away with Egypt during September’s international break, Omar Marmoush will not travel to France in midweek.
Bagging yet another Premier League brace over the weekend and enjoying a record-breaking start to proceedings, Erling Haaland will play a leading role in the final third. Returning to Guardiola’s squad on Saturday, ex-Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic could make a first appearance of the season.
Monaco vs Manchester City Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester City last travelled to the Stade Louis II back in March 2017, Monaco collected a shock 3-1 victory.
- Including a 5-1 romp against Burnley over the weekend, Man City have registered 13 goals across all competitions since returning from September’s international break.
- Erling Haaland has already registered 15 goals for club and country so far this season.
- Monaco have conceded nine goals in their last three outings across all competitions.
- Wednesday’s hosts have seen their first three domestic home fixtures this season produced 16 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
Eventually securing a thumping 5-1 victory at home against Premier League newcomers Burnley over the weekend, Manchester City have certainly found a major clinical edge in the final third. However, falling to a 3-1 loss when they last traveled to the Stade Louis II back in March 2017, Guardiola’s side will be looking to avoid a potential European banana skin here. Getting their Champions League adventure underway with an eye-catching 2-0 win against Napoli a fortnight ago, the Sky Blues will know the importance of making another European statement in midweek.
Verdict: Erling Haaland over 1.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
