Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City: Preview, Predictions, Expected Lineups and Betting Odds
Nov 22, 2016 at 3:10 PM
After getting back to winning ways at the weekend, Manchester City are back in action this week as they resume their European campaign with a trip to Germany on Wednesday. They are currently 2 points off the group leaders Barcelona and need a positive result from this game to avoid taking their qualification to the last round. The previous leg of this game ended in a comfortable 4-0 victory for Guardiola’s side but playing at home, Borussia Monchengladbach, Manchester City’s opponents, are expected to provide more of a threat on the night. Both teams are expected to field strong sides for this game and here is the preview of this game along with the team news, expected lineups, predictions and betting odds:
The Champions League group stage encounter between Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City will be player on Wednesday, the 23rd of November at the Borussia-Park in Monchengladbach. The kick-off is scheduled at 7:45 pm BST (1:15 pm IST on Thursday)
Team News:
Borussia Monchengladbach have no new injury worries but Cristoph Kramer and Julian Korb will both miss the match through suspension.
Manchester City have no new injuries to worry about but skipper Vincent Kompany is doubtful after picking up a knock at the weekend. The man of the match in that game, Yaya Toure, is not eligible for this trip as he was excluded from the initial squad but Pep Guardiola.
Expected Lineups:
Borussia Monchengladbach:
Sommer, Traore, Elvedi, Christensen, Vestergaard, Wendt; Strobl, Dahoud, Stindl, Hazard, Raffael
Manchester City:
Bravo; Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Silva, Gundogan; De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero
Key Battles:
Kevin de Bruyne vs Nico Elvedi:
The Manchester City play maker has been in sublime for this season and is expected to be a key player for City in this game against Monchengladbach. However, he will be up against an experienced Elvedi, who will make life difficult on the night for the Belgian.
Raffael vs John Stones:
After being rested for the game at the weekend, Stones is expected to be back in action this week but will be up against an in form Raffael and will have his work cut out. Stones, will have to be at his best, to keep the home side’s attacker away from the goal if City are to stay alive in the competition.
Key Stats:
This is the second consecutive season that these teams are grouped together at this stage of the Champions League. And Manchester City have won in both legs of the 2015/16 season – 2-1 at Gladbach and 4-2 at home.
Gladbach’s record in UEFA competitions against Premier League sides is 5 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses from 15 meetings. Their home record is good with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss from 5 matches. The lone defeat was against Man City last season.
Manchester City have played 18 times against sides from Bundesliga and they hold a moderate record of 9 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses. They lost in 6 of the previous 9 trips to Germany, while wining in 3.
No English club has ever beaten Gladbach in the German team’s own stadium (D 1, L 4). In fact, Gladbach have won their last four home games against English teams in European competition.
Only one of City’s 14 Champions League games away from home has ended in a draw (2-2 v CSKA Moscow last season).
Sergio Aguero has scored 14 goals in his last 14 starts with Manchester City in the Champions League.
Gladbach have scored in each of their last 15 home games in European competition.
Betting Odds:
Borussia Monchengladbach: 3/1
Draw: 14/5
Manchester City: 5/6
Prediction:
Manchester City have found some decent form recently and are strong favorites to go a long way in the competition this season. They have a team capable of getting a result from this game but playing away from home, they will have to work hard to take all three points.
Our Prediction:
Borussia Monchengladbach 2-2 Manchester City