12 Jun 2019
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side travel to Germany for the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie against Schalke 04 on Wednesday. With just four players missing from the squad (John Stones, Benjamin Mendy, Fabian Delph and Gabriel Jesus are all expected to be absent), City enter the match as the overwhelming favourites to win.
The financial muscle at City’s disposal is well-publicised, and the quality within their squad is reflected in an odds-on price of 2/9 for an away win here. Schalke on the other hand are struggling to find the sort of form that rewarded them with a Champions League place last season. The home side are a 10/1 shot to win, while the draw is available at 5/1.
Such is City’s perceived superiority that they’re an odds-on price of 1/20 to qualify for the next stage of the competition.
Struggling Schalke
For Schalke boss Domenico Tedesco, the Champions League has become somewhat of an unwanted distraction. With his side sitting just two places above the Bundesliga relegation zone, Tedesco will surely prioritize securing their place in German football’s top tier.
One familiar face expected in Schalke’s starting line-up is former City academy prospect Rabbi Matondo. An £11million signing in the January transfer window, the 18-year-old has played three times for Schalke so far. The forward is expected to turn out on Wednesday night and is a 16/1 shot to score first; 5/1 to score any time.
In-form Aguero
Argentinian forward Sergio Aguero is the form player heading into this one. He’s scored 11 times in his last 10 outings and has 23 goals in 30 appearances this season (all competitions). If he can carry that form into Wednesday’s game, odds of 13/5 to score first look appealing, as does a price of 7/10 to score anytime. Aguero to score two or more goals is also worth a glance at 11/4.
While Aguero’s goal scoring antics have been grabbing all the headlines, it’s worth remembering the attacking talent at Pep Guardiola’s disposal. Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez are potent in front of goal and can be backed at 11/10, 23/10 and 7/4 respectively to score anytime.
It’ll be a big night for City forward Leroy Sane, who returns to the club where he started his career. The 23-year-old spent eight years in the Schalke youth and senior set-up before his transfer to Manchester City in 2016. The lively winger is an 11/8 shot to score anytime against his former club.
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