Wednesday’s Champions League Predictions: Man City seek European redemption

Joe Crann

21 February 2023

Manchester City will look to take one step closer to ending their Champions League drought as this trophy has eluded them throughout Pep Guardiola’s terrifyingly successful tenure.

The Citizens face RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie on Wednesday, while in-form Inter Milan host Porto in the day’s other match. Football expert Joe Crann takes a look at both games ahead of another exciting evening in Europe’s greatest club competition.

RB Leipzig v Manchester City

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

Manchester City are a short price (1.86) to record an away win for a reason. After eroding the gap at the top of the Premier League table, City, who boast one of the world’s most expensive squads, make the trip over to Germany to face a Leipzig team that has blown hot and cold in recent weeks.

Despite some sketchy domestic form, the hosts have won all of their last four Champions League games which includes an impressive 3-2 victory over Real Madrid back in October. They have also only failed to score in one of their last 12 Champions League games, so both teams to score (1.72) looks a viable option.

Man City are the better side on paper and on the pitch, so both teams to score and an away win (3.7) could give you better bang for your buck.

Erling Haaland is 1.94 to score anytime and he’s always worth a punt, especially as he’s scored more goals against Leipzig than any other team in the world (six). Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku (3.75 anytime goalscorer) has returned from injury and will be desperate to get back amongst the goals to help his side repeat their victory over City the last time Guardiola and co visited the Red Bull Arena.

Prediction: Manchester City to win and Both teams to score @ 3.7

Inter Milan v FC Porto

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

Inter Milan boast extremely strong home form with 11 wins from their last 12 games, but they’re up against a Porto side that hasn’t lost a single game since October in all competitions. In fact, they have won a whopping 19 matches since their last defeat, including three in Europe.

The Portuguese side has only conceded once in their last eight games, while the hosts have conceded just six goals at home in the past four months. Under 2.5 goals (1.79) feels like it could be a smart way to go.

In terms of goalscorers, the evergreen Edin Dzeko is 2.38 to find the net as he approaches his 37th birthday, while Romelu Lukaku, fresh off the back of his first Inter goal since their Viktoria Plzen win last year, is 2.68.

Prediction: Inter win and Under 2.5 goals @ 3.9