Manchester City vs Crvena Zvezda predictions for Tuesday’s Champions League affair at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City, who have had a brilliant start to their season, begin the Champions League title defence against Crvena Zvezda at home on Tuesday. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.
Match Live Tuesday, 19th September at 8:00 pm In:
Manchester City vs Crvena Zvezda Predictions
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City Defend Their Continental Glory Against Wobbling Red Star
Key Stats
– Red Star Belgrade have scored in all seven of their competitive matches this season.
– Julian Alvarez has netted in every Champions League game he played at the Etihad last season.
Champions League victors Manchester City gear up to defend their title, beginning with a home encounter against Red Star Belgrade at the iconic Etihad Stadium. The stage is set for a showdown, one where Pep Guardiola’s men will be eyeing another splendid start, replicating their impeccable league performances.
City’s Untamed Rampage Under Guardiola’s astute leadership, Manchester City have been nothing short of mesmerising. Having recently vanquished West Ham United 3-1, they’ve maintained a flawless start to their league campaign. Their victory at the London Stadium, however, wasn’t without its challenges. Having been a goal down, the City side showcased resilience, with Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland ensuring their team emerged triumphant.
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Haaland’s scoring prowess has been a talking point for pundits and fans alike. Even though he missed several golden opportunities in the game against West Ham, he made amends with an 86th-minute decider. Despite a few goalless outings in the previous Champions League’s latter stages, Haaland’s impressive tally of 12 goals secured his position atop the leaderboard, a feat Guardiola hopes he replicates against the Serbian opponents.
Red Star’s Rocky Path In contrast, Red Star Belgrade, the Serbian titans, have found themselves in a bit of a quagmire. After an electrifying start to their campaign with four consecutive wins, recent losses have highlighted certain chinks in their armour. A series of games without keeping a clean sheet, coupled with the six goals they’ve conceded lately, has fans and analysts concerned. Their early-season form, which included three clean sheets and a 4-1 demolition of Mladost, now seems a distant memory. This positions them as the underdogs for the upcoming Manchester duel, where many believe even a narrow defeat would be a commendable outcome.
Team News and Strategy Guardiola will possibly miss Kevin De Bruyne’s midfield maestro skills, with the Belgian sidelined till the end of 2023. Other potential absentees include Mateo Kovacic, Jack Grealish, and John Stones, making room for Nathan Ake to slot in the defence. On the other hand, Red Star gaffer Barak Bakhar has the luxury of a fully fit squad, likely opting for a defensive back three to counter City’s attacking prowess.
Analytical Dive and Predictions
City’s Defence to Waver: Both Teams to Score
The reigning champions, Manchester City, are undeniably powerful, exhibiting a 100% winning record this season. Their home record in the Champions League last season was spotless with six wins out of six. However, an intriguing pattern has emerged: the Cityzens have found themselves conceding in each of their last three matches. This is particularly noteworthy, considering they let in goals in two out of their three home matches during last season’s Champions League group stage.
On the other hand, Red Star Belgrade, despite their shaky recent form, have consistently found the back of the net this season, scoring in all seven of their competitive outings. Their attacking prowess suggests they could find an opportunity to penetrate City’s defence. Given this, the odds of both teams scoring seems plausible, making it an enticing prediction.
The Goal Galore Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Red Star Belgrade
Statistics lay a compelling groundwork for predictions, and looking at both teams’ recent form offers some clarity. Manchester City have been ruthless in front of goal, netting 14 times in just five Premier League matches. Red Star, while not as clinical as their English counterparts, have still been potent with a commendable 21 goals in seven matches in their domestic league.
City’s recent defensive record and Red Star’s offensive capabilities might see the Serbian side snag a goal. Yet, the sheer might of Manchester City, coupled with the tactical genius of Guardiola, suggests they’ll outscore their opponents. A 3-1 scoreline in favour of the hosts is a well-reasoned estimate given the data.
Golden Boot Hopeful: Julian Alvarez to Score
Julian Alvarez is quickly solidifying his place as a key player for Manchester City. The Argentine striker has begun the current Premier League season with fervour, starting all five matches and notching up two goals. What stands out more is his affinity for the Champions League, especially at the Etihad. All three of his goals in the competition last season came at home, including pivotal strikes against strong opponents like Sevilla and Copenhagen.
Against Red Star, a team that has conceded seven times in their last three fixtures, Alvarez’s chances of scoring seem particularly high. His current form and previous Champions League performances earmark him as a player to watch. Guardiola, recognising his potential, will likely play to his strengths, making him a prime candidate to find the net.
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