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Preview: Manchester City visit the Yellow Submarine

Preview: Manchester City visit the Yellow Submarine

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It all looks rather ominous again for those opposing Manchester City: Erling Haaland free-scoring, new signings settled and eight unbeaten since an early-season stumble. But is their Champions League path just as clear-cut?

By Karl Matchett

Last year’s struggles won’t be forgotten

Autumn time a year ago was a tough patch for Pep Guardiola’s side, as they fell out of contention for the domestic title with a series of defeats – and in Europe it was almost a similar story. They eventually rescued themselves late on in the eight league phase fixtures but for a time it looked like they might even struggle to make it into the top 24. No letting up the pressure this time around in the search for early points, you can be sure – and with a trip to Real Madrid on the horizon, this first visit to Spain to face Villarreal looks an easier chance to pick up a victory.

Two German visitors – Dortmund and Leverkusen – are potentially tough in name but perhaps not quite so much in reality, but Man City won’t want to take any chances and, having taken four points already, should really be eyeing up a top-eight finish for automatic progression to the last 16. 

Marcelino magic back in town

Villarreal head coach Marcelino must be one of the most underrated bosses in Europe – consistently able to shape his teams to play good football, be solid defensively and progress in the cups. He has made three Copa del Rey finals in his time – two with Athletic Club and one with Valencia – and this is his second spell with Villarreal, having earlier taken them to touching distance of the Europa League final, losing a semi-final second leg to Liverpool. Now he has the Yellow Submarine back in the Champions League and third in the table domestically, early though it is – his 4-4-2 template is compact, quick in transitions and happy to counter-attack bigger teams and inflict serious damage along the way.

Recent form

The Spanish team had won three in a row before a recent sequence of no wins in three – but they’ve come against Juventus, Real Madrid and Real Betis, to be fair. Earlier in the season they lost at Tottenham in gameweek one. Man City are very much in form, unbeaten in eight – though they haven’t yet won three in a row since the season started. They beat Brentford and Everton in their most recent two.

Team news

Juan Foyth is a doubt and a big loss for Villarreal. Georges Mikautadze should return to the XI in attack.

For City, Rodri and Rayan Aït-Nouri are the notable absentees.

Key player

If it feels obvious, it’s because he’s so key. Erling Haaland is in relentless mode: 14 goals in ten games across league and Europe. He’s top-ranked in the Premier League for everything shooting related: xG, on target efforts and goals of course, but he’s also top for strikers in final third possession wins, aerial duels won and touches in the box.

Prediction

Manchester City should have too much in attack to worry about dropping points again – Villarreal 1-2 Man City.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Manchester City visit the Yellow Submarine

It all looks rather ominous again for those opposing Manchester City: Erling Haaland free-scoring, new signings settled and eight unbeaten since an early-season stumble. But is their Champions League path just as clear-cut?

By Karl Matchett

Last year’s struggles won’t be forgotten

Autumn time a year ago was a tough patch for Pep Guardiola’s side, as they fell out of contention for the domestic title with a series of defeats – and in Europe it was almost a similar story. They eventually rescued themselves late on in the eight league phase fixtures but for a time it looked like they might even struggle to make it into the top 24. No letting up the pressure this time around in the search for early points, you can be sure – and with a trip to Real Madrid on the horizon, this first visit to Spain to face Villarreal looks an easier chance to pick up a victory.

Two German visitors – Dortmund and Leverkusen – are potentially tough in name but perhaps not quite so much in reality, but Man City won’t want to take any chances and, having taken four points already, should really be eyeing up a top-eight finish for automatic progression to the last 16. 

Marcelino magic back in town

Villarreal head coach Marcelino must be one of the most underrated bosses in Europe – consistently able to shape his teams to play good football, be solid defensively and progress in the cups. He has made three Copa del Rey finals in his time – two with Athletic Club and one with Valencia – and this is his second spell with Villarreal, having earlier taken them to touching distance of the Europa League final, losing a semi-final second leg to Liverpool. Now he has the Yellow Submarine back in the Champions League and third in the table domestically, early though it is – his 4-4-2 template is compact, quick in transitions and happy to counter-attack bigger teams and inflict serious damage along the way.

Recent form

The Spanish team had won three in a row before a recent sequence of no wins in three – but they’ve come against Juventus, Real Madrid and Real Betis, to be fair. Earlier in the season they lost at Tottenham in gameweek one. Man City are very much in form, unbeaten in eight – though they haven’t yet won three in a row since the season started. They beat Brentford and Everton in their most recent two.

Team news

Juan Foyth is a doubt and a big loss for Villarreal. Georges Mikautadze should return to the XI in attack.

For City, Rodri and Rayan Aït-Nouri are the notable absentees.

Key player

If it feels obvious, it’s because he’s so key. Erling Haaland is in relentless mode: 14 goals in ten games across league and Europe. He’s top-ranked in the Premier League for everything shooting related: xG, on target efforts and goals of course, but he’s also top for strikers in final third possession wins, aerial duels won and touches in the box.

Prediction

Manchester City should have too much in attack to worry about dropping points again – Villarreal 1-2 Man City.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.