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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Elliott Jackson

Pundits predict Manchester City vs Shakhtar Donetsk result

Manchester City are back in European action this week, looking to rewrite the wrongs of Saturday's shock 3-2 defeat against Norwich City.

Pep Guardiola's men were stunned at Carrow Road as they suffered a first Premier League defeat since February.

It means the England champions have already dropped five points in the league this term and trail Liverpool by that same total after their 100 per cent start to the season.

Whilst making up the gap to secure a third-straight Premier League title is very much still on their mind, City must now focus their attention on the Champions League.

Guardiola's side travel to Ukraine on Wednesday night to face Shakhtar Donetsk in Group C.

Atlanta and Dinamo Zagreb make up the rest of a friendly-looking group, although Saturday's clash will have reaffirmed to City that they can't rest on their laurels against anyone.

So, will City bounce back? Here's the verdict from the national media's pundits.

4-0 to Manchester City - Charlie Nicholas (Sky Sports)

"Manchester City found this one difficult last season. Shakhtar have always brought in a bit of pedigree but that is getting less and less as the years progress. They are not quite getting those names anymore and it takes away the creative ability that they were once dangerous with. They are not quite sure whether they should be contesting or not.

"City will be badly winded after the Norwich game. Aymeric Laporte is a massive miss for them. I don't know why Pep Guardiola decided to leave Kevin de Bruyne out at the weekend. This will be a comfortable win to get the Premier League champions back on track."

Manchester City to win by two goals - Michael Owen (BetVictor)

"City play Shakhtar for the third successive year in the group stages, but they do so on the back of a surprise 3-2 loss at Norwich in the Premier League on Saturday.

"City scored nine times without reply in the two ties between the teams last term and I expect to see another comfortable evening for Pep Guardiola’s side despite that chastening defeat at Carrow Road.

"One thing is for sure, City must improve defensively if they are to retain their Premier League title or make a realistic challenge for a first Champions League."

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