Manchester City vs Copenhagen Tips and Preview - The Defending Champions Are One Small Step Away From The Quarterfinals

The second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 encounter between Manchester City and FC Copenhagen will take place this Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. The hosts have a commanding 3-1 advantage from the first leg and are favorites to finish the job at home and secure a place in the competition’s quarterfinals.

Manchester City are striving to become only the second club in history to defend their UEFA Champions League title this season. The statement of intent came in the group stage when City qualified for the knockout stage after winning all six group-stage matches. During this stint, the defending champions scored 18 goals and conceded seven.

Copenhagen were at home during the first leg but were not strong enough to keep the prolific Manchester City at bay. In a dominant display at Parken Stadium, City’s shot tally touched 27, while their opponents were restricted to just four. Only one of those four shots went on target, and that is how Magnus Mattson scored the consolation goal for Copenhagen.

Last season, these two clubs met in the group stage of the same competition. The match at the Etihad ended 5-0 in favor of the hosts. Erling Haaland bagged a brace before Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez got in on the act and scored one each. Before the duo got on the scoresheet, Davit Khocholava scored an own goal in the first half.

Copenhagen have won back-to-back Superligaen titles but could lose the crown to Midtjylland this season as they are three points clear at the top of the table with two league games to go. The Danish top division is competitive but not as competitive as the Champions League. Copenhagen will be up the river without a paddle during the second leg.

Meanwhile, Manchester City have not lost in any of their last 20 home games. The 2022/23 Treble winners have won all of their last four games across all competitions, including a 6-2 thumping win against Luton Town and a stunning 3-1 come-from-behind win against their fiercest rivals, Manchester United.

All bookmakers will back the defending champions as the favorites in this encounter. Even if City lose this match by a margin of one goal, they will qualify for the next round. However, Pep Guardiola will not like that. He may rest a few key players but will not take risks and expect his team to finish the job with another win.

Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup will field the strongest lineup, but he has done that before, and his side is still without an away win in the Champions League. All facts and statistics back Manchester City to win this match and the tie.