2016-17 Champions League: Manchester City vs Barcelona Betting Tips

Pep Guardiola would like to give a fitting riposte to his 4-0 humiliation at the Camp Nou when Barcelona take on Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday morning. This UEFA Champions League group C match should go a long way to deciding the fate of Man City in the competition.

Barcelona sit atop the group with three wins from their three matches including a home win over the Citizens. City remain second in the group with four points. Borussia Monchengladbach are breathing down their neck with three points and City wouldn’t want to leave their qualification chances till late in the day.

City was winless through six matches in all competitions but arrested the slide with an emphatic win in the Premier League last weekend against West Brom. Sergio Aguero is back to his deadly best which augurs well for this vital Barca clash. Man City’s home record is also a huge comfort having stayed unbeaten in their last 12 matches at the Etihad, including eight wins.

Claudio Bravo has been suspended for this game after he picked up a red card in his teams last fixture while Willy Caballero will be deputising for Guardiola, who will hope to keep the Lionel Messi, Luis Saurez and Neymar trio in check. John Stones will hope for a better audition this time around having failed to showcase his worth to Barcelona, who have been long-time admirers of the centre-back, in their last meeting.

Barcelona have recovered from a poor start to their La Liga campaign and currently sit second behind Real Madrid. With a perfect record so far in Champions League, the visitors will be confident of marching ahead in group C with another good outing. The return-to-fitness of Messi, Suarez and Neymar should the biggest threat for City.

The problems for Barcelona, however, are around the fitness of their first-choice defenders. Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are injured while Jeremy Mathieu is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the last match. The loss of Andres Iniesta is the biggest blow, although former City graduate Denis Suarez will hope to prove a point to his former employers in the absence of Iniesta.

It’s a crucial game for City who will pile more pressure on themselves if they fail to pick up points. An injury-ridden Barca is a welcome note for Guardiola, who should be eager to avenge his heavy defeat at Nou Camp. At good odds, City look primed to snatch a victory on Tuesday.

TIP: Man City to win – $2.80 at William Hill

Aguero looks a good punt to score anytime in the match after returning to full fitness recently. From the Barca side, back the Brazilian superstar Neymar to score.

TIP: Aguero to score anytime – $2.30 at William Hill
TIP: Neymar to score anytime – $2.60 at William Hill

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