Tuesdays Champions League clash between Manchester City and Monaco may well be the game to watch in this set of matches. Monaco has been performing well in both Europe and their own domestic competition this season and the match odds markets do provide us with some tempting options for this game.
Of course, Manchester City are no push-overs and despite their well-publicized stumbles in the league this season they have still managed to get into 2nd place in the league and could be the Premier League side to progress the furthest in the Champions League.
Leonardo Jardim saw his side struggle against Bastia on Friday night but he started the game without two of his best players so it’s no surprise that his side failed to shine. Monaco have a fairly clean bill of health for the game against Manchester City with just Gabriel Boschilia missing. Manchester City would love to have that level of fitness worries. Gabriel Jesus is out with a broken metatarsal; Ilkay Gundogan is out after undergoing surgery back in December. Vincent Kompany is still struggling for fitness after suffering a setback in his recovery from a groin injury and everyone is aware just how important he has been to Manchester City in the past.
In my opinion, this is a winnable game for both sides. Monaco have shown that they can cope with English opposition in the past and Manchester City appear to be a little fragile psychologically. If Monaco can make a strong start and knock Manchester City’s rhythm then this game will open right up.
That makes the odds at green listed bookmakers on a Monaco victory (6.03 with Pinnacle) or even the draw (4.35 with Pinnacle) seem like an area worth investigating. These first leg matches can be tight and I don’t see this one being any different. I’m playing it a little safe though and will be going for the Double Chance market in this one. Combining the draw with the away bet at odds of 2.38 with Ladbrokes seems like a sensible option to me and although it’s still a risk, it’s one I’m ok with.
Manchester City could come unstuck here if they’re not careful and goals will be at a premium so it is worth taking a look at the Over/Under 2.5 goals market as well. The Over is the favourite here at 1.69 with Pinnacle but for me, the value is with the Under. Pinnacle are offering that at 2.3 and with this game likely to be low on goals, in my opinion at least, that really seems to be the bet worth going for. I’d love to see the Over as a fan and because this is the game I’ll be watching, but I just don’t see it for this one.
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