Manchester City - FC Copenhagen predictions and free betting tips [06/03/2024]

On Wednesday, 6 March, as part of the second leg of the Champions League's round of 16, Manchester City will host Copenhagen on its own turf. With their victory in the first match in Denmark three weeks ago, triumphing 3-1, the 'Cityzens' hold a two-goal advantage and have virtually secured their place in the next round.

Predicted lineups

Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Rodri; Foden, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland.
Copenhagen: Grabara; Jelert, Vavro, McKenna, Diks; Goncalves, Falk, Mattsson; Elyounoussi, Larsson, Achouri. 

Manchester City

Manchester City, the reigning Champions League holder, secured a convincing 3:1 victory in Denmark. It's clear that this round of 16 pair is probably the most one-sided of all. Following their triumph in Copenhagen, the sky-blues drew against Chelsea in the EPL (1:1), then claimed victories over Brentford (1:0), Bournemouth (0:1) and won the derby against Manchester United (3:1). In the eighth minute, Marcus Rashford put the 'Red Devils' ahead with a powerful 25-metre strike, followed by a superb brace from Phil Foden, heralded by Pep Guardiola as the best Premier League player at present, and a stoppage-time goal from Erling Haaland, which secured the hosts vital three points.

Thanks to these results, City continues to battle for the title along with Liverpool (trailing by just 1 point). The 'Cityzens' had no problem defeating Luton Town 6:2 in the FA Cup round of 16. A victory on Wednesday will make the Mancunians the third team in Champions League history to claim at least 10 consecutive wins in this tournament after Real Madrid (10 up to February 2015) and Bayern Munich (10 up to November 2013, and 15 up to November 2020). 

Copenhagen

Unfortunately for Copenhagen, they drew probably the strongest opponent possible in the round of 16, and after a home defeat in the first match (1:3), there's no chance of them progressing further. The team's coach Jacob Nestrup admitted after the match that "Man City" was a level or two above the adversaries we have encountered during the group stage.

In February, the 'lions' consecutively trounced Silkeborg (0:3), and then Nordsjælland (2:0), but could not reach the top of the league standings. Last Saturday, the capital team disappointed their fans, losing 2:0 to Midtjylland and now sit third overall, trailing the leading team by three points. Generally, Copenhagen hasn't won an away match in the Champions League since December 2016, and hasn't once defeated an English team. 

Match prediction for Manchester City – Copenhagen

After winning the first match thanks to an excellent game from Kevin De Bruyne, it's unlikely that Manchester City will have any trouble in delighting the home fans with another high-scoring spectacle. Copenhagen lags considerably behind the hosts in class, and even trails in their own league - it's unclear what the guests can bank on to achieve even a draw. My prediction is a victory for the favourite with a -2 handicap. 

Total prediction

Manchester City routinely demolishes any team in the Champions League at home, while Haaland is motivated to improve his personal scoring stats in the recent weeks' matches. I'm betting on the host's individual total of over 2.5 goals. 

Corner prediction

In the Champions League, Manchester City rarely allows teams of Copenhagen's calibre to approach their penalty area, so I'm betting on the guests' individual corner total to be under 2.5.               

Yellow cards prediction

Given that the outcome of the confrontation is already known, there's hardly any need to expect rough fouls and on-field struggles – I'm betting on the total number of yellow cards to be under 3.5. 

Score prediction

I'll bet on an exact score of 4:0 in favour of Manchester City.