Best Odds: 9/5
Bookmaker:
Looking to officially punch their Champions League quarter-final ticket on Wednesday night, Manchester City will welcome Copenhagen to the Etihad.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, claiming local bragging rights over the weekend as they mounted a stellar comeback at the Etihad, Manchester City certainly find the mood in their camp at a real high. Eventually storming their way to a 3-1 victory against Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s men have their sights firmly set on completing more history this season. Becoming the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble champions last year, the Sky Blues have continued to gain a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third. Picking up a deserved first-leg advantage when they travelled to Denmark on February 13th as they landed a 3-1 win, City will be looking to officially punch their quarter-final ticket with another statement here. Unbeaten in all of their previous 19 straight appearances across all competitions, it is no surprise that Guardiola’s squad are tipped as a landslide contender on Wednesday night.
Team News
Dealing with another injury setback, Manchester City have confirmed that England international Jack Grealish will not feature here. However, aside from the former Aston Villa skipper, Guardiola’s men have reported a clean bill of health ahead of Wednesday’s second-leg showdown.
Bagging a Premier League brace against Manchester United over the weekend and notching nine goals across all competitions since opening 2024, Phil Foden will once again partner Erling Haaland in attack. John Stones should once again partner Ruben Dias at the heart of Guardiol’s defence.
FC Copenhagen
As for the visitors, while Copenhagen might have sprung a real Champions League upset back in December as they punched a knockout stage ticket, the Danish giants always knew that they faced a monumental challenge over the past fortnight. Eventually falling to a 3-1 loss when they welcomed Manchester City to the Parken Stadium for their first-leg showdown on February 13th, Jacob Neestrup’s men really doubt have asked for a tougher challenge here. Failing to pick up any kind of momentum over the weekend as they fell to a toothless 2-0 defeat at the hands of Midtjylland, the former Viborg boss should also be worried by his most recent trip to the Etihad. Hit with a 5-0 drumming when they travelled to the blue half of Manchester while in group stage action last season, Copenhagen will simply be looking to make a stronger account of themselves.
Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance since the end of October, Copenhagen will once again be without Georgia international Davit Khocholava here. Likewise, former Genoa midfielder Lukas Lerager will not travel to the Etihad due to a recent muscle injury.
Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike against Manchester City last month, Danish international Magnus Mattsson will spearhead Neestrup’s charge here. Former Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna will keep his spot at the heart of Copenhagen’s defence.
Key Factors to Consider
