Champions League: Sky Blues are at Home in Europe

Olympiacos vs Manchester City

Manchester City, the pre-season favourites to win the Premier League, have some respite from their headaches in the UK on Wednesday, when they head to Greece for some welcome Champions League action.

The Sky Blues have won all three of their European games and sit comfortably at the top of Group C, and head coach Pep Guardiola will hope his side doesn’t suffer a hangover from another disappointing weekend in England’s top flight. Here at SBOTOP we’re backing City to take all three points from their date with Olympiacos, at odds of 1.31, but of course, the hosts will be planning a Greek tragedy for Pep’s boys.

Talking Points

Olympiacos’ experience can make it difficult for City

Pedro Martin’s Olympiacos sit proudly at the top of the Greek Superleague on 19 points, with six wins and a draw from their opening seven games. They come into this game on the back of a 1-0 derby victory over fierce rivals Panathinaikos thanks to a first-half goal from midfield star Kostas Fourtunis.

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Premier League

They are aiming for an astonishing 46th league title, while still holding out a genuine hope of making the Champions League knockout phase. They sit in third place and three points behind Porto, a side Martin will believe his team can overcome, but they need to avoid a thumping at the hands of their visitors on Wednesday. Former Watford defender Jose Holebas knows the threat of Manchester City all too well. He was in the Hornets line-up which was hammered 6-0 by the Sky Blues in the 2019 FA Cup final as Gabriel Jesus, Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling were all on the score sheet. But Holebas impressed during his five years at Vicarage Road and he’ll relish the chance to frustrate his former tormentors.

36-year-old France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena will be an important player on Wednesday night, giving the Greek side the calm assurance they will need to face a firing Manchester City, as well as protecting a back four which will be without the injured Senegalese centre back Ousseynou Ba.

Manchester City’s European goal

The news last week that Pep Guardiola had extended his contract by two years was music to the ears of Manchester City fans. Pep’s adored in the Sky Blue half of Manchester and his determination to add the Champions League to his array of domestic triumphs at the Etihad has never been clearer. Only a VAR controversy against Spurs, back in 2019, prevented them from reaching the final that year and they come into this game on the back of another defeat to Tottenham.

The Sky Blues can have no complaints following their 2-0 loss at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s Spurs as Heung-Min Son and Giovani Lo Celso put them to the sword. And they will aim to shake off the disappointment quickly as they re-apply a steely focus on Europe.

Kevin de Bruyne remains Manchester City’s most important player and is a key part of Roberto Martinez’ plans for world domination in Belgium! But even if Olympiacos can keep the midfield ace quiet, they still have Sterling and wing wizard Ferran Torres, who has three goals in the competition already, to worry about. City will be without the injured Fernandinho and that means there could be a starting berth for Ilkay Gundogan, alongside England starlet Phil Foden.

Champions League: Manchester City will be counting on Ferran Torres when they play against Olympiacos — Ferran Torres celebrates after scoring Manchester City’s first goal against Olympiacos

History

These two teams have only met twice before, the most recent meeting being the return fixture of this tie, just three weeks ago, when Torres, Jesus and Joao Cancelo scored in a 3-0 victory for Manchester City.

But they will find it hard to break down their hosts, who have won their last eight home matches in a row; and so patience will be a virtue for Guardiola’s all stars.

Betting Tip

	Olympiacos vs Manchester City	Manchester City Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.93
	November 26, 01:55 (GMT+8)

With Olympiacos at odds of 9.00 and the draw at 5.40, the Sky Blues at 1.31 is a high likelihood, but we’ll need to look elsewhere to find some extra value. The spread is over a goal in favour of the Sky Blues, with Olympiacos +1.50 at 2.00 and City at 1.93 with a -1.50 handicap… and that’s where I’m heading.

The most likely scoreline is 0-2 at odds of 5.80 and, for an alternative bet, 2-3 goals at 2.05 is an option.

It all points to a successful night for Manchester City, not a stroll in the park, but a success.