- Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2024
- Location: Telia Parken, Copenhagen
- Teams: FC Copenhagen vs Manchester City
Check out the best betting sites in the UK and the best football bookmakers and Champions League bookmakers with Betting.com.
Fancy a bet on City winning the treble? Check out the latest odds.
City face Copenhagen as they bid to retain trophy
Holders Manchester City face FC Copenhagen in the last 16 as Pep Guardiola’s side continue their bid to retain the trophy. With the greatest of respect to Copenhagen, the draw has been relatively kind to City. However, the Danish champions have proved that they are no pushovers after emerging from a group containing Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and the Citizen’s city rivals, Manchester United.
FC Copenhagen
The Danish Champions will be familiar to many English football fans after impressing in two matches against Manchester United. Copenhagen performed superbly to get out of what looked to be a tough group on paper and are a side who cannot be taken lightly.
Copenhagen have only been in the knockout stages of the Champions League once before, when they lost to Chelsea in the round of 16 in 2010/11. This time round the Nordic side are struggling for consistency. They went into the Superliga winter break after a three-match winless run, slipping to third in the table. The mid-season Atlantic Cup saw a fourth place finish, taking six points from nine available.
Midfielder Lukas Lerager, who scored the crucial goal which sent Copenhagen through will miss out through suspension.
Rasmus Falk, Viktor Claesson and Oscar Hojlund are in contention to replaceLerager. Davit Khocholava (knee) and Theo Sander (knee) are ruled out, while Birger Meling (muscle injury) is doubtful.
Goalkeeper Alex Runarsson and Scott McKenna have both been drafted into the squad after arriving at the club during the January window. Promising 18-year-old Roony Bardghji could be a man to watch, with several scouts across Europe taking an interest.
Manchester City
City are well and truly back in form after stuttering somewhat, by their own high standards, before Christmas. They are unbeaten in 13 in all competitions and the 2-0 home win against Everton was their tenth successive victory. Guardiola’s team are currently favourites to win the Champions League. It is a very difficult competition to retain and any side progressing to the knockout stages are deserving of respect. While City are expected to beat Copenhagen they wlll be well aware of what their opponents have to offer.
City travel without Josko Gvardiol, Sergio Gomez and Mateo Kovacic. It has not been confirmed whether the trio are injured or whether they have just been left out. Ruben Dias is one booking away from a European ban. Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, all of whom came off the bench in the win against Everton are all expected to start. A fit again Erling Haaland looks set to lead the line after his double against Everton took him to 50 goals in 50 Premier League starts.
Prediction
While Copenhagen are a side fully deserving of respect we fully expect City to come through over two legs. We also expect them to win the first leg on the night. Some top teams can be guilty of complacency, however, this is something that can be rarely levelled at Guardiola’s sides. Away win.
Telia Parken, Copenhagen
Are you interested in placing a bet on Copenhagen vs Man City? Then check out our recommended football bookies and Champions League bookies. Here you will find a top list of our favourites, always along with an analysis and explanation of our choices. Check out the best betting sites in the UK ahead of making your picks.
