FC Copenhagen vs Manchester City prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-02-12 20:00.
For just the second time in club history, Copenhagen will take part in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after coming through a group containing both Bayern Munich and Manchester United. The Lions’ reward is what their manager Jacob Neestrup described as “the most difficult draw possible” as they go up against reigning European champions Manchester City, a side they’ve never beaten in four previous attempts (D2, L2).
Copenhagen notably held City to a 0-0 draw on this ground in last season’s group stage, and despite their underdog status, repeating that result may not be beyond them thanks to their strong home form. The Danish champions have lost just three of their 19 Champions League matches at Parken (W8, D8), though facing English opposition at this stage doesn’t bode well, as their only other last 16 appearance saw the Lions eliminated by Chelsea in 2011 with a 2-0 home loss.
The eventual winners of that tournament (Barcelona) were managed by Pep Guardiola, just as they were last season when Manchester City went onto become only the second English side to win the treble. Replicating that act this season would be unprecedented, but one would be brave to write them off considering they’ve now won ten consecutive matches across all competitions.
City were imperious in this season’s group stage, winning all six matches while scoring exactly three goals in each. Guardiola’s men are now unbeaten in an English record 20 European matches, but the three-time Champions League winning coach may be keen to see his side’s defence tighten up after they kept just two clean sheets across their last 13 games in all competitions.
Players to watch: Copenhagen’s Mohamed Elyounoussi has netted five times across his last two appearances. The Norwegian has faced City more than any other side in his career (W2, D2, L6), most notably scoring and assisting in a 2-1 win over the English side in the Champions League Round of 16 while at Basel in 2018! City’s irrepressible Erling Haaland returned to the scoresheet with a brace against Everton at the weekend and now sets out to replicate his stunning five-goal haul from last season’s Round of 16 win over RB Leipzig.
Hot streak: Man City have not lost a Round of 16 Champions League game since 2018 (W8, D2).