Man City v PSG: Back Haaland to strike in 9/2 bet builder

City defiant amidst the maelstrom

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Wednesday 14 Oct, 20:00
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While the wheels of justice turn at achingly slow pace, Manchester City's coach and players have to get on with the business of winning matches, and so far they have done that in exemplary manner. Manager Enzo Maresca has made light work of stepping into the shoes of Pep Guardiola, winning eight games in a row since collapsing to a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in the Community Shield.

City's 3-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday was a sign of how these players can block out the external noise. As you would imagine, given the fact the Premier League have found City guilty of 114 charges relating to breaches of financial rules and failure to co-operate with the investigation, Liverpool fans were happy to voice their views. Cries of "cheats" rang out around Anfield, and the Kop had its say with banners galore.

The trip to Anfield is doubtless a sign of things to come for these City players, but they weathered the storm, and after Ryan Gravenberch had been sent off for the hosts City took the Reds apart with surgical precision. Erling Haaland whacked in his eighth goal in his eighth appearance of this season, while Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki scored wonderful goals.

City have scored 23 goals in their last eight matches across three competitions, and they began their Champions League push with a 2-0 success at Porto, as Haaland bagged a brace. Arsenal are the only team to stop City scoring this term.

Maresca has no fresh worries with injury or illness. Phil Foden has served a three-match domestic suspension and is available for selection.

PSG expected to recover from slow start

When you look at the Ligue 1 table and see PSG sitting sixth in the standings, the temptation might be to think that Luis Enrique's men have a fight on their hands to win the title this season.

The truth is that PSG often start seasons slowly and build to a crescendo, and they have had a very tough fixture list, with trips to Rennes, Lille and Marseille already out of the way. They also lost 2-1 at home to table-toppers Monaco, but the gap between the clubs is still only three points.

PSG have however reeled off four wins in a row, including a 6-1 success against Slovan Bratislava in their Champions League opener. Summer signings like Ferran Torres and Maghnes Akliouche already look the part, and they'll be the key to keeping the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia fit and fresh for the home stretch in April, May and June.

However, there are things for Enrique to fix. The two-time European champions have picked up a habit of conceding goals - the Parisians have only manged one clean sheet in nine competitive matches this term - and in attack the big hitters are still finding their way into the campaign. Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue have all been outscored by captain and centre-back Marquinhos this season.

PSG don't have many injury concerns, although youngster Senny Mayulu hopes to recover from a knock. Dembele and Nuno Mendes were rested at the weekend for the win over Le Mans, and should return.

Man City v PSG Match Odds - Hosts favs but don't underestimate Enrique's men

City are the 11/102.11 favourites here, and although they'll get plenty of backing from a crowd that is circling the wagons at a difficult time, that just feels too short to me.

Yes, City are on a great winning run and PSG have never won at the Etihad (they have lost on three of four visits), but it's also true that Luis Enrique's side are unbeaten in their last 11 clashes with Premier League sides.

They also tend to save some of their best performances for the Champions League - in last season's league phase they won at Barcelona and hammered Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 in Germany.

Man City v PSG Bet Builder - Champions to at least pick up a point

I'll go for Haaland to continue his scoring run. The Norwegian sensation was incredible at the World Cup for his country and has maintained that momentum. He also has three goals in three career meetings with PSG.

Finally, I'll back tenacious City midfielder Enzo Fernandez to have three foul involvements. That has paid out in three of his last four starts for the Citizens.

That gives us a Bet Builder treble of 9/25.50.

Now read our other Champions League previews here!