Manchester City take on Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium. Following a tough Premier League fixture against Wolves at the weekend, the former European champions look to extend their dominance on the continental stage. Sparta Prague, on the other hand, are making waves in their return to Europe’s elite competition after nearly two decades, aiming to cause an upset.
Manchester City Recent Form
Manchester City come into this match unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions this season. They are currently top of the Premier League and will be looking to carry that domestic success into Europe.
In their most recent match, they secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, showcasing resilience after coming from behind to win in the 95th minute.
Injury and Team News
City remain without Rodri, who is sidelined with a long-term ACL injury, as well as Oscar Bobb. Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne are unlikely to feature due to fitness issues, while Nathan Ake may make his return but is not expected to start.
Pep Guardiola could rotate his squad, with players like Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, and Matheus Nunes pushing for starts.
For Sparta Prague, Imanol Garcia is out with a knee injury and Elias Cobbaut is unlikely to feature.
Martin Vitik is available again after serving a domestic suspension, while Tomas Wiesner and Lukas Haraslin are expected to be key players after their recent contributions.
Last Manchester City Lineup
Here is how Manchester City lined up for their last match against Wolverhampton:
Sparta Prague Recent Form
Sparta Prague are having an impressive season in both domestic and European competitions. They secured a 2-1 win over Slovan Liberec in the Czech First League over the weekend and have picked up four points from their opening two Champions League matches.
They will be encouraged by their ability to find the net in all 19 of their competitive fixtures this season.
Last Sparta Prague Lineup
Here is how Sparta Prague lined up for their last match:
Manchester City Player to Watch
Erling Haaland remains the focal point of Manchester City’s attack. The prolific striker has already scored multiple goals in both the Premier League and Champions League this season and will be keen to add to his tally against Sparta.
Sparta Prague Player to Watch
Lukas Haraslin is Sparta’s standout player. With a recent match-winning goal and an impressive form, his dynamic play on the wing could pose a threat to Manchester City’s defence, particularly on the counter-attack.
Prediction
While Sparta Prague will likely find the back of the net, City’s superior quality, particularly at home, should see them come out on top.
Our Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Sparta Prague
Betting Tips
Tip 1: Over 2.5 Goals
Manchester City’s attacking firepower combined with Sparta Prague’s ability to score in most games suggests a high-scoring affair.
Tip 2: Both Teams to Score
Given City’s recent defensive struggles and Sparta Prague’s goal-scoring record, backing both teams to score is a solid bet.
Tip 3: Haaland Anytime Scorer
With his goal-scoring prowess, Erling Haaland is always a safe bet to score in big games.
