Manchester City vs Barcelona Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Manchester City finally got back to winning ways on Saturday as they hammered West Brom 4-0 at the Hawthorns, with star striker Sergio Aguero bagging two alongside Ikay Gundogan.

This ended Pep Guardiola’s worst ever managerial run of form after six games without a win, and it was the worst winless run Manchester City had suffered since 2008 as the players struggled to cope with the demands of Guardiola’s playing style.

One of these six winless matches was their 4-0 hammering at the Camp Nou in October, with Lionel Messi bagging a hat trick and Neymar adding a 4th late on as both sides finished with ten men. This was a humbling experience for the struggling Mancunians, and it took Messi’s goals tally to six in the Champions League and 13 when added to his La Liga total. Four of these 13 have come away from home as well, so backing him to score on Tuesday could prove a good move, especially with odds as good as 1/1 with bet365!

I wouldn’t rule out Manchester City’s attack though. Sergio Aguero got back on the score-sheet on Saturday to take his own league and Champions League tally to 13, with him having the same seven league goals and six Champions League goals as Messi does. Aguero didn’t start the match in Barcelona, but after that tactical risk flopped I would assume Guardiola has learned his lesson. He comes in at 11/10 to score anytime, so I think he’s worth a few quid too.

Barcelona aren’t doing overly well themselves though. They only managed a tight 1-0 win over the out of form Granada at the weekend, despite Messi, Neymar, and Suarez all starting the game. This made it six wins and two defeats in their last eight outings in all competitions, with losses coming at home to rivals Espanyol and away to the plucky Celta de Vigo.

The Catalan giants do tend to step up their game for the Champions League though. They hammered Celtic 7-0 in their group opener and beat Borussia Monchengladbach away from home as well before their victory at Manchester City.

The visitors aren’t the best at the back away from home though. They have conceded eight in their last five trips away and kept just one clean sheet, whilst Manchester City have scored in every home game this season. Barcelona haven’t failed to score away from home yet this season though, whilst Manchester City have kept just one clean sheet in nine matches.

I do think Barcelona will get another win on Tuesday. They have only looked lackluster against the weaker teams this season, suggesting it could be a problem with lack of motivation. Against the big teams they tend to up their game, and considering Manchester City’s recent poor form, I think backing a Barcelona Win and Both Teams to Score at 11/4 is a very good option. I’m going for a 3-1 correct score prediction at 16/1 as well.