Pep Guardiola’s sky-blue juggernaut obliterated rivals United in the Manchester Derby on Sunday and another convincing victory could be on the cards when City host FC Copenhagen in the Champions League this evening. The Cityzens have scored 22 times in just five home games this season and the Danish minnows will fear a hammering at The Etihad Stadium.
We’ve put together a stats pack for the game below, which features key info on goals, assists, form, xG, cards, corners and more from the sides’ domestic fixtures. Hopefully, our data will give you some ideas for your bet builders later on.
Predicted Lineups
Pep Guardiola could shuffle his pack for this evening’s game with a packed October schedule in the works and all eyes will be on the team sheet to see if Erling Haaland starts.
Elsewhere, Sergio Gomez should start at left back when Joao Cancelo shuffles across to cover for Kyle Walker on the opposite flank. Rodri is still a doubt in midfield, so expect Ilkay Gundogan to play the role of anchorman again.
Nigerian midfielder Akinkunmi Amoo is out injured for FC Copenhagen, while the experienced Rasmus Falk is a doubt having been withdrawn during the club’s clash with Aarhus at the weekend.
FC Copenhagen like to set up in a 4-3-3 shape that’s similar to City’s. The Danes held Sevilla to a 0-0 draw on matchday two, though they have yet to hit their first Champions League goal this season.
Team Stats
Manchester City aren’t quite at the summit of the Premier League yet, though it feels as though it’s only a matter of time until they are. City’s domestic stats make for frightening reading.
The Premier League champions are hitting 3.63 goals and 17.50 shots per 90 minutes, while their corner count (6.50) and xG for (2.40) p/90 figures are also high.
FC Copenhagen haven’t quite hit their stride in the Danish Superliga this season and they find themselves well off the pace in 6th spot after 11 games.
The Lions have been conceding 11.50 shots per 90 minutes domestically and they allowed Dortmund and Sevilla to clock 26 attempts between them over two Champions League fixtures. Those figures should be a massive worry ahead of facing a rampant City.
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Erling Haaland (4.49 shots p/90) has been a ferocious force in the final third for City in the Premier League but beyond the unstoppable Norwegian, Phil Foden (2.40), Kevin de Bruyne (3.24) and Ilkay Gundogan (2.02) have all been making their mark too.
In the Champions League, Haaland (5.00 shots per game) has again been the main man, while defender Joao Cancelo (2.5 attempts per game) has also been enjoying himself on the continent.
Viktor Claesson (2.26 shots per 90), Mohamed Daramy (2.13) and Andreas Cornelius (2.50) are all showing healthy numbers in Denmark for the season, though they’ve found it much tougher to make a splash in the Champions League.
29-year-old midfielder Lukas Lerager did manage to muster three attempts when Copenhagen were beaten 3-0 by Borussia Dortmund on matchday one, however.
Player Goals and Assists
Erling Haaland scored his third hattrick in as many Premier League home games for City on Saturday in the Manchester Derby, taking his haul for the campaign to a staggering 14 in eight games.
Phil Foden’s treble in the same game took his tally of goal contributions up to eight (5A, 3A) and the 22-year-old is one of four City players off the mark in the Champions League this season too. Haaland hit three of the Cityzens’ six efforts in the competition so far.
With six goals and one assist in 11 appearances, Viktor Claesson has been FC Copenhagen’s main man in the Danish Superliga, with two-goal Ísak Jóhannesson their next best performer.
FC Copenhagen have yet to break their duck in the Champions League however, and they racked up just four shots on target combined in their games against Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla.
Manchester City Cards
Manchester City (five) have collected fewer Premier League cards than any other team this season, though Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo has picked up two of them. In the Champions League Phil Foden and Rodri have been cautioned once each.
Cancelo (0.81 fouls per/90), Bernardo Silva (1.17) and Ilkay Gundogan could be worth watching this evening, especially if FC Copenhagen manage to launch counter attacks at any point.
Giant striker Cornelius’s size can make him a lightning rod for awkward challenges, though he might not see much of the ball this evening, so look to players further back instead.
Rasmus Falk (fouled 1.71 times p/90) draws his fair share of mistimed tackles in the midfield battle zone as does Zeca (1.35) and that duo’s tussles with Gundogan and Bernardo Silva could hold some card-winning promise, while full-back Kevin Diks (1.19) could trouble City stand-in Gomez if he can get up the pitch.
Match-Ups to watch
Ilkay Gundogan vs Rasmus Falk
Bernardo Silva vs Zeca
Sergio Gomez vs Kevin Diks
Fc Copenhagen Cards
With FC Copenhagen almost certain to be chasing shadows this evening, their card-winning potential should be much higher than City’s this evening.
Viktor Claesson (three cards) has showed plenty of aggression in the Danish Superliga this season, as has Lukas Lerager (two bookings) and both players have already been carded in the Champions League this term.
New Zealand-born midfielder Marko Stamenic could be worth keeping an eye on if he starts. The 20-year-old played 90 minutes, racked up six fouls and was carded against Sevilla on matchday two.
Jack Grealish (fouled 4.6 times p/90) remains City’s most fouled player in the Premier League this season and the England international could attract attention from Lukas Lerager this evening when the Dane doubles up on Grealish with right-back Kevin Diks.
In midfield, Kevin de Bruyne (fouled 1.46 times p/90) could meet the Marko Stamenic’s over-enthusiasm, while Viktor Claesson will fancy a nibble or two at Bernardo Silva (fouled 1.17 times/90) when the 30-year-old drops in to perform his defensive duties.
Match-Ups to watch
Viktor Claesson vs Bernardo Silva
Marko Stamenic vs Kevin de Bruyne
Lukas Lerager vs Jack Grealish
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That’s all for this stats pack. City really could runaway with this one, and I’m sure a few of you will be looking to Haaland for your bet builders tonight.
Best of luck if you’re having a bet, bet remember to keep it fun by gambling responsibly and being sensible with your stakes.
