Manchester City prepares for the heated Manchester Derby with a Champions League dead rubber against basement side Marseille in Group C. The side will welcome Marseille at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday with a kickoff at 11 pm.
Pep Guardiola’s side already secured a spot in the last 16, whereas Marseille can hope for a spot in the Europa League after a dismal run in the group stages.
It was a surprise that Pep Guardiola’s side only managed to defeat Fulham last weekend with two goals. However, the side managed to keep their four clean sheets in succession in a routine win against the strugglers.
It seems the Citizens are finally getting their groove back after a dismal start to the Premier League campaign. It has been a different case in their European form without netting a loss in the group stages with a spot in the last 16. The side dropped points for the first time in Europe this season as they were held back in a goalless stalemate.
Marseille’s first appearance in the Champions League since their 2013-14 campaign has been underwhelming, to say the least. Although Villas –Boas’side managed to get off the market with a win against Olympiacos.
Despite their troubles in the Champions League, Marseille remains unscathed in Ligue 1 with a 2-0 victory against Nimes marked their fifth top-flight victory on the bounce.
Manchester City vs. Marseille Head to Head
Both sides have one game against each other, with Manchester City taking home the win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
Man City 2-0 Fulham
FC Porto 0-0 Man City
Man City 5-0 Burnley
Olympiacos 0-1 Man City
Tottenham 2-0 Man City
Away
Nimes 0-2 Marseille
Marseille 2-1 Olympiacos
Nimes 3-1 FC Nantes
Marseille 0-2 Porto
Strasbourg 0-1 Marseille
Manchester City Team News
City has only one injury concern ahead of their clash in the form of Sergio Aguero, who remains a doubt with the Manchester Derby this weekend. Even though Pep expects to start a strong team, it will be no surprise to see Zack Steffen replace Ederson. We could see Kylie Walker make a comeback.
Marseille Team News
Boas has only one absentee ahead of the clash in Nemanja Radonjic, who remains sidelined with a thigh issue. Leonardo Balerdi was suspending during the weekend but is available here. Florian Thauvin will return ahead of the attacking threat.
Prediction and Odds
Marseille has more to play for than Man City, but Pep will not let a win go by, especially with their form.
Man City Win
Both Teams to Score
Goals Over 1.5
