Hoffenheim vs Manchester City - Champions League Group Stage

Published on: 02/10/2018

Hoffenheim vs Manchester City - Champions League Group Stage

October 2, 2017 18:55pm - WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena

Champions League Group Stage

Hoffenheims upward European trajectory continued this season as they made it to the group stages of the Champions League for the first time. Last season, they were dumped out of their debut elite European campaign at the play-off stage by finalists Liverpool.

They began their current quest with a trip away to hardened Champions League campaigners Shakhtar Donetsk and came away with a 2-2 draw after leading twice. With Lyon beating Manchester City in the other game, the group was thrown wide open and a positive result here would give them a great chance of finishing in the top three. To get anything from this game, they will need their opponents to have another off day - not something that happens often to Pep Guardiola`s men.

Despite their improvement in Europe, Julian Nagelsmann`s men have struggled in the league this season and are currently sat in 12th place in the table with six games played.

City bounced back from that defeat to Lyon with a 5-0 win at Cardiff, a 3-0 win at Oxford in the League Cup and a 2-0 league win at home to Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.

That record of 10 goals in three games without reply will give concern to the German side who have yet to keep a clean sheet this term and have won just one of their last five matches.

Recent form (all competitions)

Hoffenheim: LWDDL

Manchester City: WWWLW

Betting odds and tips

Hoffenheim were beaten at home for the first time since January last weekend. That result could dent their confidence heading into this clash. Their previous two champions League meetings against English opposition (vs Liverpool) both ended in defeat (6-3 on aggregate) and the same outcome should be expected against the reigning Premier League champions. Having said that, they have not failed to score at home in 16 months so should at least get on the score sheet.

Manchester City have lost their last four Champions League matches in a row (the first English side to do so) but they have not lost to German opposition since a 1-0 defeat to a Bayern Munich side led by Pep Guardiola four years ago. They have won four and drawn one since then.

You can back against Man City to win and Both Teams to Score at 11/8.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 02/10/2018

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (02/10/2018 10:55:42) but are subject to change.