FC Copenhagen vs Manchester City Predictions

• Manchester City are on a 13-match unbeaten streak and have won their last ten games
• Copenhagen have won their last two Champions League home matches, beating Manchester United and Galatasaray in those games
• The Citizens are unbeaten in their last nine away games in this competition, although five of those matches have finished level

Comforts in Copenhagen for hosts

On paper, a trip to Denmark to take on a side who are making just their second ever appearance in the knockout stage of the Champions League should be pretty straightforward for Manchester City, the reigning champions who are managed by perennial winner Pep Guardiola. 

However, things may not be that simple for the Citizens as Copenhagen have a tendency to remain resolute at home, buoyed by the cauldron-like atmosphere created by their fans at the Parken Stadium. 

The Lions spectacularly made it through a group containing giants Bayern Munich and Manchester United as well Champions League regulars Galatasaray to reach this stage and will be keen to continue their brilliant performances in this year’s competition when the champions come to town. 

Bayern needed a late goal to take all three points in Denmark while the Red Devils and Gala were both beaten by Copenhagen, highlighting how strong they can be at the Parken Stadium. 

Citizens could be frustrated for 45

Manchester City are on a 13-match unbeaten run that has seen them win their last ten matches and will obviously provide a stern challenge, but the hosts could frustrate their star-studded opponents on Tuesday. 

They held the Citizens to a 0-0 draw in Copenhagen in the group stage of last year’s Champions League and, while they may not hold on for such a long time in this tie as they were aided by Sergio Gomez’s early red card in that clash, they could stand firm for a while once again. 

City were level at the half before going on to win in their last two matches, against Premier League relegation candidates Everton and Brentford respectively, while they also needed a strong second-half showing to take three points against minnows Young Boys in the group stage having been drawing at half-time in that tie. 

Given that Copenhagen were level at half-time in their home meeting with German giants Bayern and in their away clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford, there is nothing to say they can’t contain the champions for at least 45 minutes on Tuesday. 

Cream to eventually rise to the top

Of course, City should prevail eventually. They beat Copenhagen 5-0 in their last meeting and have won their last six away matches in all competitions, landing victories at notorious tough-places-to-go Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and St James’ Park in that run, which makes the half-time/full-time result appeal greatly. 

Parken Stadium is an extremely difficult place to go and, as shown by their 0-0 draw in Bavaria with Bayern, Copenhagen can be a tricky team to break down. 

Take the hosts to stand firm throughout the first period before the star quality of City’s stars, namely Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, eventually shines through.