LiontipsManchester City vs Sporting CP. Prediction and Betting Tips for 2021-2022 UEFA Champions League (March 9, 2022).
Command Analysis
Manchester City have been impressive across all tournaments this season. The Cityzens confidently won their group in the Champions League and qualified for the first round of the playoffs, where they were matched against Sporting CP. In the first leg, Man City crushed the Portuguese club with a score of 5:0.
Pep Guardiola's men are dominating in the Premier League. The reigning champions of England are leading the standings after the 28 rounds of competition, six points clear of their closest pursuers, Liverpool. In the last two rounds, the Sky-Blues celebrated success over Everton (1:0) and Manchester United (4:1).
In the FA Cup, Man City have cruised past Swindon Town (4:1), Fulham (4:1), and Peterborough United (2:0). They will face Southampton in the quarterfinal match.
Today the hosts will be without Dias, Steffen, Palmer, Mendy, and Ake.
Sporting CP secured the top-2 finish in their group by getting nine points from three victories. But the 19-time champions of Portugal were unlucky to draw one of the strongest sides in European football in the last 16. Today they will be looking for redemption at Etihad for their first-leg defeat, but objectively, they don't stand a chance of advancing to the quarterfinals.
In January, the club lifted the Taça da Liga, having defeated Benfica in the final match (2:1). Ruben Amorim's men are currently in 2nd place in La Primeira Liga with 61 points from 25 games. They are six points behind Porto in the 1st position. After a draw against Maritimo (1:1), Sporting beat Arouca (2:0) in their latest outing.
Matheus Nunes is suspended, while Braganca, Palhinha, and Pote are sidelined with injuries.
Trends
СтавкаCorrect score 3:0
MC won 4 of the last 5 home games.
СтавкаGoals in both halves - yes
In the last 3 games of the hosts, goals were scored in both halves.
СтавкаCorners: total under 9.5
This bet played in the last 3 games of the hosts.
СтавкаPenalty: yes
Penalties were given in 3 of the last 4 games of the visitors.
Tip and bets
Man City have pretty much secured their ticket to the next round of the playoffs and won't be pushing as hard as they did in the first-leg game in Portugal. The Sky-Blues have superior quality and the support of the stands and should get a landslide victory here.
Our prediction - Asian handicap (-2) to Manchester City
We are predicting a comfortable win for Guardiola's side, but with a slightly bigger focus on defense - Sporting will definitely be very aggressive on the defensive.
Second bet - Manchester City to win by 3 goal
