Manchester City wan break one kain bad Champions League record when dem go visit Estadio de la Ceramica on Tuesday for dem group stage clash against Villarreal.
Pep Guardiola men never win any of dem last five away games for Europe, but Villarreal sef never see first win for dis season competition.
Match Preview
If you ever see Eric Dier score penalty, just know say you don witness something rare for football. According to Transfermarkt, the former Tottenham defender never even take top-level spot kick before Monaco vs Man City match for Champions League.
But for that day, Dier shock everybody – e win and score 90th-minute penalty wey make Monaco hold City 2-2 after Erling Haaland don score two and Jordan Teze one.
That Dier goal still add join City wahala for Europe away matches. Guardiola side don go five Champions League away games without win, and dem lose four of those last season to Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus and Sporting Lisbon.
The last time City win for Europe away na October 1, 2024 – 4-0 demolish Slovan Bratislava. Since then, dem don dey try balance am back domestically.
Dem don beat Brentford 1-0, then Everton 2-0 last Saturday – Haaland na the man again wey lead the charge. Those wins extend City unbeaten run to eight matches and even push dem top of Premier League table before Arsenal push dem back down small.
Villarreal sef get similar story. For matchday two, dem draw 2-2 with Juventus, thanks to one late 90th-minute equaliser from Renato Veiga wey nod header from corner – former Chelsea man wey give dem first point for the tournament.
Before that one, dem lose narrowly to Tottenham for dem opening match. The Juventus draw na the start of one three-game winless run for Marcelino’s boys.
Before international break, dem lose 3-1 to Real Madrid, and last weekend Real Betis hold dem 2-2 as Manchester United flop Antony score twice for final 30 minutes.
Wetin still worsen Villarreal case be say dem never win any of dem last eight matches against English clubs. The last time dem face Man City (2011-12 UCL group stage), dem lose both legs – 2-1 away and 3-0 home.
Villarreal Champions League form: D-L
Villarreal recent form (all competitions): L-D-L-D
Manchester City Champions League form: D-D
Manchester City recent form (all competitions): W-W-D-W-W
Team News
For City camp, Guardiola go happy say him squad don strong small again. Left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri don follow travel and fit make bench after him ankle injury.
But Abdukodir Khusanov still dey sidelined with similar issue, and Rodri hamstring problem still go keep am out till month end.
Because of the tight schedule, Guardiola fit rotate small for this match – Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki fit get first Champions League minutes of the season after dem recover from injury.
For Villarreal side, wahala full defence line. Logan Costa (ACL), ex-Man Utd man Willy Kambwala (hamstring), and Juan Foyth (unspecified) all no go play.
Young striker Pau Cabanes (ACL) sef still out. But good news be say right-back Santiago Mourino go return after La Liga suspension.
Marcelino fit start am immediately for right-back, with former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe and number nine Georges Mikautadze join for attack – na the two combine for the first goal vs Juventus.
Villarreal Possible Lineup:
Tenas; Mourino, Marin, Veiga, Cardona; Gueye, Parejo, Comesana; Pepe, Mikautadze, Buchanan
Manchester City Possible Lineup:
Donnarumma; Nunes, Stones, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Bobb, Silva, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Match Prediction
Villarreal home ground – La Ceramica – don turn fortress for dem recently. Dem still unbeaten for home this season and don lose just one of dem last ten European home games.
But all that one fit end on Tuesday.
Man City attack don get fresh life again with Cherki and Marmoush return, plus Haaland still dey on fire. The Yellow Submarine go fight, but City firepower too heavy.
Prediction: Villarreal 1-3 Manchester City
