It was a stroll in the park for Manchester City when they hosted minnows Copenhagen in their previous Champions League encounter. These two sides will lock horns once again on Tuesday night, this time at Parken Stadium in the reverse tie. City, one of the prime contenders for the coveted European crown, are expected to register another thumping victory and secure a place in the knockouts with two games remaining.
The addition of Erling Haaland has transformed them into outright favourites across competitions. The goal machine from Norway has already netted 20 goals including a first-half brace against the Danish outfit. It would be a big surprise if he fails to add a few more to his tally in this midweek outing.
Predicted 4-4-2 Manchester City Lineup To Face Copenhagen
Defence
Ederson is the undisputed ‘number 1’ both in the Premier League as well as Europe. He would keep his place between the sticks ahead of Stefan Ortega.
The Skyblues have a couple of fitness concerns in the defensive third. Both Kyle Walker and John Stones are sidelined with their respective groin and thigh injuries, but the depth, as well as quality across the pitch, should put Pep Guardiola under little trouble, given the summer arrival of Sergio Gomez and Manuel Akanji. The latter impressed as a makeshift right fullback versus Southampton. However, Joao Cancelo could be reinstated in that role to make way for Gomez down the left. Aymeric Laporte is likely to return to the starting XI alongside Ruben Dias.
Midfield
Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva should be rested ahead of clashing heads with Liverpool next Sunday. Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan might operate centrally, with the German international expected to make box-to-box movements and operate in the advanced areas. Rodri would marshall the defence as well as pull the strings from his deep-lying midfield role, whereas Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish should be deployed from the flanks considering their dribbling as well as the ball-carrying ability. Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are tipped to get introduced at a later stage.
Attack
While Erling Haaland is grabbing all the attention, Julian Alvarez has already fired in 4 goals despite limited minutes. The young Argentine should be lined up along with the Norwegian hitman and the Copenhagen backline would have a tough time against the dynamic attacking duo having conceded five times a week ago at the Etihad.
