Following a lengthy break, the Champions League finally returns this week as the round of 16 gets underway. Manchester City remain the team to beat in the competition, as the reigning champions are on a hunt for a second successive treble. City will be the commanding favourites in this tie against Copenhagen, beginning in Denmark on Tuesday.
Man City have made a very professional start to their Champions League defence this term after winning each of their six matches in Group G. The reigning champions cruised through the opening round of the tournament, scoring three goals per game across the matches that they played in the group stage. Their performances to this point ensure that they remain the clear favourites in the betting to retain their European honour.
This first leg will be crucial for Copenhagen, as they will need a positive result to ensure that they remain in contention of reaching the next stage. However, the odds will highlight that their chances of progression are incredibly slim. The Danish club upset the odds to reach this stage after winning two of their six matches to beat Man United and Galatasaray to second spot in Group A.
However, Danish sides have a poor record against the reigning European champions after losing each of their last three home matches. Over that period, they have failed to score, and they have allowed a staggering 24 goals. Meanwhile, Copenhagen will be making just their second appearance in the knockout round of the Champions League.
City have continued to break more records so far this term, as they now boast the longest winning run by an English side after winning eight on the bounce. In fact, only Bayern Munich has ever enjoyed a longer winning sequence in the Champions League than the reigning champions.
Copenhagen have a poor record against City. They are unbeaten in their last four matches against their Premier League rivals across all competitions. However, they have avoided defeat in their two home matches against City after playing out draws. Meanwhile, City have never recorded away from home against a Danish club in their European history.
The Danish hosts will be without a number of key stars this week. Nicolai Boilesen, Theo Sander, and Birger Meling are all doubts for this showdown against City, while Lukas Lerager misses out through suspension. City will be without John Stones this week, while Zack Steffen is also unlikely to return until the start of March.
Copenhagen will take confidence from their home record in the competition this season, as they scored in all three matches against Bayern Munich, Man United, and Galatasaray in the group stage. However, they managed to keep just two clean sheets across their six matches in the opening round.
City were dominant in the opening round of the tournament, netting three goals in each of their six matches in the tournament. But, if they are to win a second straight Champions League, then they will need to improve defensively after allowing seven goals in the group stage, keeping just one clean sheet.
This looks a very straightforward opening leg to call this week, as City are just hitting their stride in 2023-24 following the returns of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. We expect the latter to score for the second game running on Tuesday, as City capture a dominant 3-0 win to take firm advantage of this tie.
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