Manchester City begin their latest quest for continental glory in Spain on Tuesday evening where they face a battle-hardened Sevilla outfit at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Can Pep Guardiola mark his return to his homeland with an early victory in Group G?
These stats packs have all the stats behind both teams’ starts to their seasons. The stats are all taken from their respective leagues. They should help boost your chances of a winning bet builder tonight.
Predicted Lineups
Winger Jesus Manuel Corona is sidelined for Sevilla until December with a ligament injury, though Los Nervionenses have few personnel issues to contend with beyond that.
Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui has swapped between 4-3-3, 4-2-2-2 and 4-2-3-1 formations this season with little success. (0W, 1D, 3L). Sevilla’s midfielders could have a combined age of 93 on Tuesday, or 100 if former City stalwart Fernando gets the nod over Thomas Delaney.
Aymeric Laporte is out of action until October, while Kyle Walker and John Stones have been left behind in England to recover from minor issues.
Nathan Ake should slot in at left back with Joao Cancelo switching flanks to fill in for Walker. Late signing Manuel Akanji could make his debut at centre-half.
Team Stats
Sevilla have looked worryingly abject in the final third this season, where they are hitting just 0.75 goals p/90. Their shots on target against (4.5) and xG against figures (1.8) both trump their numbers at the opposite end, which is a real worry ahead of a tough test against free-scoring City.
Man City relinquished top spot in the Premier League at the weekend, though they remain the division’s top scorers (20) and the competition’s best performers for xG (2.4) for and against p/90 (0.75). The Cityzens are also conceding remarkably few corners this season (1.67 against p/90).
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Former Tottenham winger Erik Lamela has been producing the goods in terms of raw numbers for Sevilla this season (2.32 shots, 1.65 shots on target p/90), though the Argentinean still hasn’t found the net.
Veteran Croatian Ivan Rakitic features highly for shots per 90 (3.19), though it remains to be seen just how close to Man City’s goal he can get on Tuesday. Youssef El-Nesyri still hasn’t found his shooting boots for Sevilla this term.
Norwegian freight train, Erling Haaland, is unmatched for shots (4.68) and shots on target (2.62) p/90 for City in the Premier League this season, though you already get the sense that under-the -radar starlet Julian Alvarez could hit some pretty big numbers too given more opportunities to shine. Kevin de Bruyne (3.28 shots p/90) is a perpetual threat from deeper positions.
Player Goals and Assists
Sevilla have been toiling badly in the goal-getting department in 2022/23, as evidenced by their paltry haul of three goals in four La Liga assignments.
Dutch defender Karim Rekik – who had a spell with City’s academy a decade ago – and Spanish pair Oliver Torres and Rafa Mir have provided one goal each so far.
Erling Haaland has scored seven of City’s last 11 and 50% of City’s total Premier League goals this season, though the champions won’t want to develop an overreliance on their new star striker.
Kevin de Bruyne has been the team’s creator supreme and with four assists already clocked, the Belgian is well on track to surpass last season’s haul (8).
Sevilla Cards
Sevilla’s campaign has been a frustrating one so far and only two clubs in La Liga have collected more cards than the out-of-sorts Nervionenses (17).
Carmona and Isco have been cautioned most often, though the fiery Lamela has been racking up the most fouls p/90 (4.00). Joan Jordan (2.78) is a hard-hitter to watch in midfield, whilst adventurous left back Marcos Acuna (1.38) has already received a red card this season.
Jack Grealish is a pro at inviting mistimed challenges and he’s been fouled more often p/90 (4.00) than any of his teammates despite his limited game-time.
Diminutive attacking midfielders Bernardo Silva (1.43) and Phil Foden (1.37) also tend to get knocked about. Keep an eye on both if they feature as they try to navigate waters patrolled by their physically imposing Sevilla counterparts.
Match-Ups to watch
Joan Jordan vs Kevin de Bruyne
Joan Jordan vs Jack Grealish
Erik Lamela vs Joao Cancelo
Manchester City Cards
Joao Cancelo is one of City’s designated first responders when his team look like being counter-punched and the versatile Portuguese international has committed 0.93 fouls per 90 and picked up two bookings this season.
Holding midfielder Rodri (1.79 fouls per 90) reads from the same playbook as famed former City destroyer, Fernandinho, and the Spaniard has mastered the art of fouling without much retribution. His dark arts might be more easily identified in the Champions League, however.
Isco is unlikely to feature from the start on Tuesday, though the summer acquisition has been drawing fouls left right and centre in La Liga (5.00 fouls p/90).
Fullbacks Jesus Navas (1.76) and Marcos Acuna (1.38) have also been on the end of some punishment, while veterans Papu Gomez (2.76) and Ivan Rakitic (2.38) have also been on the receiving end. With stats such as these, there could be plenty for referee Davide Massa (4.00 cards p/90) to flag up this evening.
Match-Ups to watch
Joao Cancelo vs Papu Gomez
Rodri vs Ivan Rakitic
Joao Cancelo vs Marcos Acuna
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That’s this stats pack finished, but I also have stats packs available for 3 other Champions League games tonight. Just head to the predictions tab to find them all.
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