Champions League: City Collide with Upstart Croatian Champions

Manchester City vs Dinamo Zagreb

Manchester City are surprisingly not top of their Champions League group through one game. The English champions currently are second to Dinamo Zagreb, who are on top via goal difference after they produced one of the biggest surprises of Matchday 1 with their 4-0 win over Atalanta.

The Citizens will have their chance to take command of Group C as they welcome the Croatian upstarts to the Etihad Stadium.

The Champions League 2019 betting odds don’t give Dinamo much of a chance to pull off an upset. But as they showed against Atalanta, it would be foolish to underestimate their abilities.

Talking Points

City continue dominance

Manchester City’s shocking defeat to Norwich seems so long ago now. Since that unexpected setback, City have been on a sensational run.

It began with their comfortable 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in their Champions League opener. They then walloped Watford 8-0 at home. And after dealing with Preston in the Carabao Cup, they took care of Everton 3-1 over the weekend.

It’s a testament to City’s excellence that they’ve conceded just one goal in those four matches despite being without top centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and John Stones.

Fernandinho has stepped into the centre of that defence and has done a creditable job deputising alongside Nicolas Otamendi.

Meanwhile, the attack remains close to unstoppable. City have scored at least two goals in each of their nine matches thus far this season and at least three in seven of them.

Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling have both scored in each of the last two games. Bernardo Silva bagged a hat-trick in the win over Watford. Kevin De Bruyne has been running the show and has a goal and four assists in his last three games. And Sergio Aguero is still banging in the goals; he already has eight to his name this season.

Champions League: Raheem Sterling managed to score in each of Manchester City's last two games — Raheem Sterling celebrates with Manchester City after scoring their third goal against Everton

Even Riyad Mahrez is hitting his best form. The Algerian winger has three goals and two assists in his last three starts.

With so many attacking options at their disposal, it’s just hard to imagine City being unable to get on the scoresheet, especially at home.

Dinamo Zagreb in fine form

Dinamo Zagreb’s 4-0 dismantling of Atalanta was without a doubt one of the biggest surprises of the opening round of fixtures. They completely caught the Italian side off-guard as they made a number of Champions League 2019 highlights en route to their convincing victory.

Mislav Orsic had the game of his life as he recorded a famous hat-trick. Spain Under-21 international Dani Olmo was also one of their standout performers. But it was a complete team effort which saw them run Atalanta out of the park.

Dinamo did suffer a bit of a hangover as they immediately lost 1-0 to Varazdin in their domestic league. But they have since recovered with back-to-back away victories against Karlovac (7-0) in the cup and Lokomotiva Zagreb (4-0) in the league. Orsic continued his fine form as he scored a goal in both games.

Based on their performance against Atalanta, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if Dinamo decide to try and play with City. And if they do, they could cause their hosts some problems. While City have conceded just once in their last four games, their defence has looked vulnerable of late.

History

City’s meeting with Dinamo will be their first ever against a Croatian side. They will head into the match in free-scoring form in the Champions League. They’ve scored 17 goals in their last five matches in the competition and 19 in their last four at home.

As for Dinamo, they have won just once against English opposition in UEFA competition. That lone victory came at home against Arsenal back in 2015/16.

They have had no such luck in England, though. They’re winless in their six trips to England, losing five of those meetings.

Betting Tip

	Manchester City vs Dinamo Zagreb	Manchester City First Half Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 1.98
	October 2, 03:00 (GMT+8)

While Dinamo’s big win over Atalanta was impressive, it would pale in comparison if they got all three points against City. SBOBET odds have them priced at an astronomical 18.50 to win at the Etihad, with City overwhelming 1.075 favourites.

Clearly, there’s no value to be had on the 1X2 market. Instead, look to the First Half Asian Handicap to turn a handsome profit.

With the form City are in at the moment, I foresee them building up a big lead on Dinamo within the first 45 minutes. They’re unlikely to score five goals in the first 18 minutes like they did against Watford, but they should still be able to clear the -1.25 handicap.