UEFA Champions League betting tip: Manchester City- Schalke 04
Mar 12, 2019
UEFA Champions League: Manchester City- Schalke 04
Prior to the first meeting between these two I had just looked at City -Arsenal which ended 3-1 ..........
City edged that 2-1, but are coming off a loss by the same scoreline away to Newcastle United in midweek where they could not build on an early lead and the game was turned around late on. It was a shock as they had won the six interim league and cup starts since the Liverpool game by a combined 28-0 ! All but one were against lower level or struggling teams, so it only really means they were firing offensively and not that those old offensive issues which we have discussed so often have disappeared and they remain vulnerable to teams who do not fear them and are prepared to take the game to City. I expect that to be the Gunners, they are struggling on the road and were carved open at Anfield and have conceded 12 in their last 5 on the road, including two games against bottom half of the table teams, but have goals in them. Arsenal have scored 15 goals in their last 9 visits here, at least one in 8, including their last 6, but they have lost 6/10, including 4 by multi goals.
Updating ahead of the tie in Germany with ............
This looks a big mismatch and is a dream draw at this stage of the competition for City. Schalke came through the weakest group to qualify and are 14th in Bundesliga, already losing 6 home starts. However, City are vulnerable defensively when teams take the game to them, this is something we have discussed SO many times and surely Schalke will need to find a goal or two tonight to give themselves any chance of qualifying, as they are not going to keep City quiet for long.
City conceded twice early (ahead of the break) but came back from 2-1 down with ten men to come away with a 3-2 win, which was perfect for us and we have done reasonably well long term, with those thoughts about City defensively and they are far more vulnerable at the back than they are given "credit" for. The issue (for them) comes when teams either do not fear them and/or are prepared to take the game to the Sky Blues and not just sit back, which is not as easy as it sounds, especially when you don't have the ball ! However, German teams are used to playing on the front foot and are not known for having much of an inferiority complex and City have conceded in their last four starts against Bundesliga sides (Schalke, Hoffenheim twice, BMG) five times total and ALL in the first half, they have also conceded in four of their last five home competition starts, two or more in three of those. Schalke probably feel the tie is beyond them, but will have large travelling support which should ensure they are committed for the full 90 minutes regardless of scoreline and know they have to scored multi goals to make even a pretence at turning this around.
City are without suspended pair Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho and we have spoken often in the last couple of weeks about the importance of the latter.
1.75 units Schalke to score 2.1 asian line/Sportmarket ...........there is also good value IMO in them to score in the opening 45 minutes @ 4.0 + , as this is the time most of the damage is done against City.
Good Luck.
We don't just sell football betting tips, as you can see there is an extensive analysis behind our asian handicap selections. Subscribing to our sports betting advice service need not break the bank. Learn more by visiting our subscriptions page.
Sport:
Competition:
Football Teams: