Manchester City v Barcelona: Goals rain at the Etihad

Betting Tips | Article posted on February 18th, 2025

Three’s Kompany: there are reasons to expect goals at the Etihad on Tuesday evening

“Backing both teams to score has been the right thing to do in 8/9 Champions League games at the Etihad.”
Back Both Teams to Score @ 1.68/13

The Premier League neophytes play host to some of Spain’s most seasoned Champions League campaigners and Tobias Gourlay expects to be entertained…
Man City 3.1511/5 Barcelona 2.466/4 The Draw 3.613/5Tuesday 19:45Live on ITV1
Match Odds
The market says Barcelona, who have a fully fit squad to choose from, are favourites to take an advantage back to Spain for the second leg.
Opta says they haven’t won any of their last five games in England, drawing two and losing three. And some of those were played when they used to be good.
For all of the hype, there’s been a lot of hurt in similar games for the Spanish champions and we’re inclined to side with Opta.
At this stage a year ago, the Blaugrana went to AC Milan and lost 2-0. Since Pep Guardiola ushered in a new era, they are just W2-D5-L5 away from home in the first legs of knockout ties.
The absence of Sergio Aguero is enough to put us off backing City outright, but the outsiders are supportable on the handicap.
Draw No Bet
There are as many draws as defeats in Barcelona’s recent first-leg away-from-home record.
With City almost as capable of conceding as scoring – CSKA Moscow, Viktoria Plzen, Cardiff City and Watford have all hit the back of the net more than once at the Etihad this season – you might want a bit of protection from an even result.
Taking Manchester City Draw No Bet at 2.265/4 means you’ll get your stake back if the two teams are level pegging after 90 minutes in the north-west.
Over/Under Goals
Before Christmas, the Etihad’s three group-stage games produced 17 goals. This is City’s third Champions League campaign and, all told, 5/9 home matches have finished with Over 2.5 Goals.
Half of Barca’s 12 first-leg road games have turned up three goals or more.
Both Teams to Score
This is their first Champions League knockout game, but City have scored at least once in all nine group matches at the Etihad, while keeping only one clean sheet. So backing both teams to score has been the right thing to do in 8/9.
Despite the above-mentioned poor results, Barca have scored in 21/25 Champions League road games.
Best BetBack Both Teams to Score @ 1.68/13
Recommended BetBack Manchester City Draw No Bet @ 2.265/4
This article is provided courtesy of BetFair.com