Manchester City vs Sparta Prague Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Admittedly, anything other than a Manchester City win would be a surprise as the Citizens' home record should place them as the favourites against lesser opposition in Sparta Prague. If you exclude penalty shootouts, Manchester City are unbeaten on home soil since the latter stages of 2022. As of writing, Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 12 in all competitions.

Manchester City have been their usual ruthless selves this season, scoring first in four of their previous five. Pep Guardiola's side have averaged 2.4 goals per game this season in the Premier League and most recently scored four in their last Champions League game against Slovan Bratislava.

Expect goals in this fixture and potentially from both sides, as both teams have scored in four of the previous five involving Manchester City, so there could be an opportunity for Sparta Prague to take advantage of a Manchester City side who are conceding goals at a regular rate this season.

We predict it will be a comfortable night for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side will more than like have enough strength in quality to deal with the challenge of Sparta Prague. We predict it will be a 4-1 win for the 2023 winners of this competition.

Manchester City 4-1 Sparta Prague.

European football resumes once again next week as the third round of fixtures takes place in the UEFA Champions League. Former winners, Manchester City are looking for their first home win in the competition this season as they host Sparta Prague.

Date: 19/10/2024
Location: Etihad Stadium
Kick-Off: 8 pm
Manchester City are listed as one of the favourites to secure another UEFA Champions League triumph this season, and it’s not surprising to see any lack of reasoning behind this. The recent acquisitions of Savinho and the returning Ilkay Gundogan will likely bolster the ranks for Pep Guardiola and add to his already impressive plethora of talent the Spaniard has at his disposal.

Manchester City began their UEFA Champions League campaign with an opening game draw against their beaten finalists from two years ago in Inter Milan. Pep Guardiola’s side would have been left frustrated with their efforts on that evening, considering some of the chances that presented themselves. The Citizens then travelled to Slovakia to face the reigning Champions of that country in Slovan Bratislava. Manchester City resumed business as usual as they ran out 4-0 winners, including a first goal for the club for James McAtee.

Sparta Prague are enjoying a fine season in the Czech first league this season, as they are currently second in the league after 11 league games, only three points behind nearest rivals Slavia Prague. Sparta Prague are on the same points in the league phase as their opponents following two impressive results in their opening two games. The visitors beat RB Salzburg 3-0 in a comprehensive win for the team from the Czech Republic. Sparta Prague followed this up with a 1-1 draw away at Stuttgart.

The game will be shown live on TNT Sports 2.

Rodri remains a long term absentee for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola could look to utilise the likes of James McAtee, who scored against Slovan Bratislava.

Predicted Sparta Prague Eleven: Jensen, Vitik, Panak, Sorenson, Preciado, Kairinen, Laci, Rynes, Krasniqi, Birmancevic, Olatunji.

Manchester City’s home form is ridiculously impressive, having not a single home fixture since the latter stages of 2022, where they were beaten 2-1 by Brentford. Since that defeat, Manchester City have maintained a record of 50 games unbeaten on home soil (excluding penalty shootouts). The home side have been their usual excellent nature regarding goalscoring, having scored 19 goals in eight Premier League games.

Manchester City have averaged 2.375 goals per game this season overall and their league form at the Etihad has been imperious as ever. Manchester City have played four home league games this season, won three, and drew once against Arsenal. Pep Guardiola’s side have scored 11 in the league at home and have conceded six, and their only clean sheet on home soil, was in the repeat of the 2023 final against Inter Milan. Manchester City have averaged 2.75 goals per game at home this season in the Premier League and posted an impressive 18% conversion rate on home soil.

In their previous home game, Manchester City were made to sweat over the victory as a determined Fulham side pushed them to the very last whistle in a 3-2 win for Manchester City.

Away from home, Sparta Prague are unbeaten in their respective and in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. Sparta Prague have averaged 2.5 points per game on their travels and maintained an impressive five wins from six on their travels away from home in the league. Sparta Prague have averaged 2.7 goals per game away from home, although it is expected they will not reach that amount when it comes to facing Manchester City.

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