Easy start expected as City kick off Champions League defence gets underway

Manchester City have made a perfect start to their Premier League campaign. And the expectation is for more of the same in the Champions League, according to the many betting sites found on https://bookmakers.tv.

City’s opening Premier League fixtures were filled with potential banana skins, including trips to two newly promoted teams in Burnley and Sheffield United, alongside tricky ties up against Newcastle and West Ham. But, despite some moments of concern, City came out on top on each occasion and now sit two points clear of a chasing pack which includes a rejuvenated Tottenham and Liverpool. Bookmakers have reacted positively, slashing the odds on City getting their hands on yet another Premier League trophy, with the chance of more celebrations in May increasing from 55% to 72%.

But if City’s first few Premier League games gave cause for concern, the Champions League group stage draw has been a whole lot kinder. Up first in Group G is a home tie against Crvena Zvezda, where the most likely result is predicted to be a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Even an 8-0 thrashing, best priced at 60/1, is seen as a more likely outcome than a 1-0 defeat (100/1), setting up the opportunity to qualify with games in hand, which would allow Pep Guardiola to rest players as the group progresses. This could be crucial come Matchday 5 given it is sandwiched between games against two potential Premier League title rivals in Liverpool and Tottenham.

If the outlook is rosy on this side of Manchester, the story couldn’t be more different over at Old Trafford. Manchester United have struggled throughout, losing to Tottenham, Arsenal and Brighton, and failing to impress in either of their victories. Hopes of another top four finish already look distant, with a trip to the Allianz Arena hardly the ideal place to regain confidence and form, and United 5/1 to record an unlikely away win.

Selected odds* according to https://bookmakers.tv:
Man City to win the Premier League - 2/5
Man City to win the Champions League - 9/4
Man City to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup - 22/1
Man City to win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup & League Cup - 66/1
*Odds correct at 2pm on 19th September 2023