Beyond The Score

The Champions League has crept upon us once more as tomorrow the second legs of the round of sixteen commence. Let’s predict how Manchester City will do in their clash with Copenhagen:

Manchester City v Copenhagen (3-1 agg)

It just seems like that time of the season doesn’t it? Manchester City have well and truly kicked into gear, winning sixteen of their last eighteen matches in all competition, drawing the other two. A sticky period before they travelled to the world cup saw them drop points to Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea. Yet again, after the Winter Break though they have came back in blistering form and a second consecutive treble is a real possibility.

It’s no coincidence that this run of form has coincided with the return of key players such as De Bruyne and Rodri. It has gave them the ability to play different systems and rotate the squad which can never be underestimated. Just in their recent five outings we have saw Guardiola’s men play a 4-1-4-1 against Chelsea, 4-2-3-1 against Luton and a 3-2-4-1 against Manchester United (as shown bellow exclude the numbers).

Their opponents in comparison are less than flexible, and will play a 4-3-3 no matter the opponent. Little surprise then was it that City were able to dominate so easily in the previous leg, It’s never easily stifling Pep’s men, but such an open style isn’t to be advised.

Copenhagen won’t be flamboyantly confident either. Their 2-0 loss to Midtjylland at the weekend means that they sit third in the Superliga and 13 points off the top. I would be surprised if an upturn in form happens tomorrow night, it’ll be a simple win for last year’s winners.

Prediction : Man City 4-1 Copenhagen