For the first time in two weeks, City return to the Etihad looking to continue where they left off, a 6-0 thumping of Nottingham Forest. The hosts have been as electric as always this season, not dropping points at home and scoring a minimum of 4 per game. Despite trailing Arsenal in the league table, I think most people wouldn’t bet against City making it 3 titles on the trot following rival Liverpool’s poor start.
Their visitors today, Borussia Dortmund, appear to be under far more scrutiny particularly following a 3-0 defeat on the road at Leipzig. After holding a variety of roles at the club, Edin Terzic has taken the reins of a talented, young squad. In their first UCL game this year, Dortmund dismantled a weak Copenhagen side 3-0 but tonight they face a different challenge, a challenge they failed to overcome two years ago at the Quarter-Final stage when City knocked them out.
Two electric attacking sides, playing in the biggest European competition, makes for a mouth-watering tie and the perfect game for a bet builder.
Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund Bet Builder Tips
Manchester City -1 Handicap
I have already mentioned how destructive City have been this season, even more so than previous seasons which is mainly down to former Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland. The Norwegian starlet made his move from the away side for around a mere £50m and has been worth every penny with 13 goals at 1.61 Goals per 90. Following the same pathway of midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, Haaland has given Pep Guardiola the number 9 he needs to finish off his system and complete this Man City juggernaut.
City dismissed an out of sorts Sevilla side on the road last time out, courtesy of Haaland yet again and will be looking to comfortably beat Dortmund. In the quarter-final two years back, City won both games 2-1. Now, with Haaland switching sides and Dortmund injury ridden, I don’t expect it to be nearly as close. Dortmund limp back line conceded 3 to an RB Leipzig side speared by Timo Werner. Not to centre my tip around one player but City’s Norwegian number 9 has equalled Werner’s PL goal tally in 50 less games (56 compared to 6).
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Prediction: Man City to Win -1 Handicap
Over 2.5 Goals
Goals, goals, goals. 99 and 85 League goals for Man City and Dortmund respectively last year in just 72 combined games. Dortmund have struggled to pick up where they left off but have the attacking talent to turn that run around once the new signings get used to playing together. On the other hand, City’s attacking output has only got better, scoring 3.43 per game, enough to land this selection themselves.
Although City “only” have an xG of 2.6 per game this season, they score goals at a higher rate purely due to their quality. When you can rotate the likes, of De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez, Grealish and Bernardo Silva just to name a few, there is always the quality on the pitch to score against the odds.
It’s tough not to neglect talking about an oppositions attacking power when they play Man City with all their talent, but Dortmund going forward must not be underestimated. With traditionally attacking full backs Guerreiro and Meunier and talent such as Reus, Brandt and Reyna the Germans really do pose a threat while also leaving plenty of gaps in the wide areas for the City wingers to target. Two expansive teams with top tier quality shouldn’t struggle to put the ball in the back of the net.
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Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals
Kevin de Bruyne to Score or Assist
Enough about the tricky wingers, the quality of the modern fullback and of City’s number 9, it’s time to talk about arguably the best distributor of the ball in world football. Belgian international Kevin de Bruyne has been one of, if not the best player in the PL since his move from Wolfsburg in 2015, paying off the £55m spent without a shadow of a doubt.
He may be one of the best players around but one of KDB’s best qualities that sets him apart is his distance shooting. Traditionally being regarded as a playmaker, de Bruyne has stepped up into a goal scoring role in the past 12 months, leading last season’s top scoring City side’s goal tally with 15 goals. 5 of these were outside the area and 9 on his supposed weaker left foot, his all-round quality is virtually unstoppable on his day.
Given all these threats, I found it highly unsurprising that De Bruyne is valued at 1.40 for a goal contribution in this fixture. Given he will be lining up against youngster Jude Bellingham who didn’t play too defensively two years ago, KDB should have opportunity to pick up plenty of pockets of space. Pockets of space which can’t be afforded from a Dortmund perspective if they fancy a clean sheet.
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Prediction: Kevin de Bruyne to Score or Assist
Thomas Meunier to be Carded
The final leg of our bet builder is surprisingly well priced from my perspective and concerns another Belgian featuring tonight. Right back and former right midfielder, Thomas Meunier has had a strong start to the season for BVB and a strong few years following his move from PSG in summer 2020. Featuring 66 times for the Germans, Meunier has 3 goals often playing the more defensive full back role in comparison to Guerreiro.
I don’t think it’s harsh to say Meunier isn’t the most nimble full back we have ever seen. Standing at 6 foot 3 he is dominant in the air, however agile wingers such as Grealish and Foden should pose a great threat to him. Done for pace against both Freiburg and Leipzig this season, Meunier has been booked in 2 of his 5 games.
Averaging 2.37 fouls committed per my cheat sheet, with Grealish averaging 4 fouls drawn per game, there should be plenty of opportunity for fouls and cards in this match-up. If that wasn’t enough to support this bet, Daniel Orsato has awarded 1500 cards at 5.1 per game and 5.2 this season, and he loves being the centre of attention.
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Prediction: Thomas Meunier to be Shown a Card
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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How to watch Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League
📅 When is Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund? / Wednesday, 14th September 2022, 20:00
🏟 Where is Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund? / Etihad Stadium (Manchester)
📺 What TV channel is Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund? / BT Sports 2
🟨 …And who is the referee for Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund? / Daniele Orsato 🇮🇹
