Manchester City vs Sparta Prague prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-22 19:00.
[p]Rooted in midtable after two matchdays (W1, D1), Manchester City come into this round of UEFA Champions League (UCL) action on a high after scoring in second-half stoppage time on Sunday to grab a potentially crucial three Premier League points at Wolves (2-1). That extended the unbeaten run of Pep Guardiola’s side to 11 competitive games so far this season (W8, D3), and having not tasted defeat at home in European action for a remarkable 32 matches (W28, D4), it’s easy to see why they’re backed to make it 12 games here. [/p]
[p]Manchester City (25) could actually establish a new record for the longest unbeaten run in European Cup/UEFA Champions League history (26). Yet it should be noted that by their high standards, their form in continental action has been patchy recently with their 4-0 win away to Ĺ K Slovan Bratislava in the last round the only victory from their past four UCL contests – albeit that was against stiffer opposition with two coming against Real Madrid (D1, L1) and one against Inter Milan (D1). [/p]
[p]Coincidentally, Sparta Prague also grabbed a late goal this past weekend to secure their own 2-1 win, helping them keep pace with rivals Slavia Prague who sit top of the Czech First League. They’ll surely be pleased with their performances so far in UCL action and actually share the same number of points as the hosts following a win over Salzburg (3-0) and a draw away to Stuttgart (1-1). In fact, with the qualifiers over the summer included, those results extended their UCL record to no defeat in eight matches (W6, D2)! [/p]
[p]Despite travelling in good spirits, Sparta arrive in England as huge underdogs, and their record in the country justifies that tagline. Sparta were eliminated from the Europa League round of 16 by English opposition last season losing 1-5 at home and 6-1 away to Liverpool, the latter making it six losses in their last seven games in England (D1). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Ä°lkay GĂĽndoÄźan’s next appearance in the UCL will be his 100th in the competition – he also scored in the last round away to Slovan. Victor Olatunji has scored three UCL goals so far this term for Sparta – including qualifiers – with two opening the scoring for his side. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: City have scored exactly three goals in four of their past six home UCL matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by David H[/i][/p]