Manchester City vs Atalanta prediction: How will Champions League clash play out?
Raheem Sterling scored an 11-minute hat-trick and had a hand in all five goals as Manchester City came from behind to thump Italian side Atalanta 5-1 in their Champions League Group C encounter on Tuesday.
Forward Sergio Aguero also scored two in the first half at the City of Manchester Stadium, but England winger Sterling was the star of the show as the home side made it three wins from three to open up a five-point lead at the midway point of the pool.
Atalanta have now lost all three of their group matches in their debut season in the Champions League, but started brightly and had the lead via a Ruslan Malinovsky penalty.
City were ruthless in their response though and drove forward. They finished the game with 10 men after teenager Phil Foden received a second yellow card on 83 minutes.
A lively start from the visitors, who launch an attack down the left through Gosen, who sends a high, looping cross into the box. Ederson makes a meal of it, dropping the ball. But fortunately for the goalkeeper no Atalanta players are quick enough to react.
There is certainly an energy about Atalanta in attack. They come down the left again, this time through Gomez, who sees an attempted cross blocked. City will have to be alert at the back tonight.
A real opening for Atalanta comes to nothing as Ilicic is played through in space in the box but miscontrols. The away side look the more threatening so far.
City come forward with intent for the first time tonight as Sterling breaks away down the left and sends the ball into the middle. Atalanta deal with it, but the hosts are beginning to control possession now.
Atalanta are being given an alarming amount of space on the counter attack. Gosens is set clear down the left with time and space to pull the ball into the box. His ball across is intercepted, though, and City clear.
Big chance! Atalanta should be in front. Gosens gets in behind Walker yet again and chips the ball into the middle. Castagne is there to meet it but can only guide his header over from close range. City look severely exposed on the right. Its been a tough start for Kyle Walker.
Sterling finds some space on the edge of the box and tries to clip the ball into the path of Aguero. He gets too much on it, though, and it runs away for a goal kick. City haven't got going at either end of the pitch yet.
City want a penalty. Sterling and Foden link up and the latter surges into the box before going down under a challenge from Djimsiti. The referee isn't interested, though.
The visitors are doing well to frustrate City, getting numbers behind the ball when defending. And they're still breaking with pace and purpose. Ilicic again finds space, cutting inside from the right and hitting a low shot which is comfortably saved by Ederson.
City suddenly have Atalanta on the ropes. Sterling and Mendy wreak havoc down the left, forcing the visiting defenders to clear a couple of dangerous crosses. Another ball from Sterling almost picks out Aguero for a tap in, too, but it's just behind the Argentine.
Aguero goes close twice! First he curls a shot from the edge of the box towards the far corner, forcing an excellent save from Gollini, who manages to tip the ball around the post. Then Foden picks the striker out in the box, but his first time effort flashes just over the bar. City are starting to really build some pressure now.
Ilicic cuts in from the right again and draws a foul from Fernandinho just inside the box. Just as City looked to be taking control, the visitors have a chance to go ahead...
A clinically dispatched penalty from Malinovskiy, who sends Ederson the wrong way and picks out the corner of the net. Atalanta lead and it's probably not undeserved.
City are eager to respond immediately. They come forward through De Bruyne, who's stopped in his tracks as he makes his way towards the box. Atalanta have restricted City's key players reasonably well so far - particularly given their questionable defensive record (Gasperini's side have conceded 13 goals in eight Serie A games this season).
The match will be broadcast on BT Sport 2, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Subscribers to BT Sport can watch the game online or on mobile via the BT Sport player and BT Sport app.
Team news
Manchester City might welcome back John Stones to their lineup, with the fit again centre half set to reinforce a problem area. He could partner Nicolas Otamendi, who is over the issue that caused him to miss the Crystal Palace game.
Kyle Walker may be available, too, while Fernandinho could be rested after a busy couple of months as emergency cover in central defence. Phil Foden could feature as he presses for more game time.
Predicted line-up
Manchester City: Ederson; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Benjamin Mendy; Rodri, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva; Riyad Mahrez, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling.
Odds
Manchester City: 2/9
Draw: 6/1
Atalanta: 12/1
Prediction
Manchester City should have the quality to beat the Italians, but Atalanta are better than their first two Champions League results suggest.
Expect a relatively open game, with Manchester City prevailing 4-2.
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