Ahead of the final round of games from the new league phase format of the Champions League, we have the Manchester City vs Club Brugge preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups.
Manchester City Vs Club Brugge Preview
Manchester City are on the brink of elimination from the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola’s side – one of the pre-tournament favourites – have struggled to adapt to the new league phase format of the competition.
City have failed to win of their seven games including a 4-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon and a 3-3 draw with Feyenoord where they three away a three-goal lead.
They collapsed again last week when PSG came from two-goals down to produce a stunning 4-2 victory.
As a result, City are 25th going into the final matchday, two points and one place off the play-off spots.
Nothing less than a victory will do for City when they host Belgian side Club Brugge on Wednesday.
City will still be expected to finish in the play-off spots though Club Brugge are no pushovers having taken points off the likes of Aston Villa, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon in their opening seven games.
Nicky Hayen’s side are unbeaten in 19 games across all competitions and haven’t lost in the Champions League since a 3-1 loss to AC Milan at the San Siro on matchday three.
The hosts are strongly favoured by the UK’s best football betting sites to beat Club Brugge and advance to the play-off phase of the competition.
Manchester City Vs Club Brugge Team News
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Jeremy Doku will not be available for Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge.
Doku missed the 3-1 win over Chelsea and joins Rodri, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb on the sidelines.
The recently signed trio of Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis are not eligible to play in Wednesday’s match but will hope to feature in latter stages of the competition should City progress.
John Stones was rested at the weekend by Guardiola with Wednesday’s Champions League match in mind.
The visitors will be unable to call upon the services of Zaid Romero, but apart from that they have a clean bill of health.
Man City Vs Club Brugge Predicted Lineups
Man City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland
Club Brugge (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Jashari; Vetlesen, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla
Prediction
This could be a bit more of a tight and cagey affair given the importance of the game to heavy favourites Manchester City.
City have seen an upturn in performances in the Premier League over the last month, but the defeat to PSG indicated there are still concerns in the Champions League.
However, City should have too much for their Belgian opponents and should get the three points that would secure them a spot in the play-offs.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Club Brugge
